Tweet
NEW BELL TO BE INSTALLED IN ST. GIRAGOS ARMENIAN CHURCH OF DIYARBAKIR
armradio.am
12:05 18.10.2012
A century after its establishment, the historical Surp Giragos
Armenian Church in Diyarbakir reopened for worship last year. Now,
the church is set to completely return to its former glory with the
installation of a new bell on Nov 4. The new bell, which weighs 100
kilograms, was produced in Moscow, the Hurriyet Daily News reports.
"The new bell, which weighs 100 kilograms, was produced in Moscow
and presented as a gift from the Russian Armenian community to
the Surp Giragos Church. It's already been delivered to Diyarbakir
and presented to the public," Istanbul-based Canadian artist Raffi
Bedrosyan, who contributed to the restoration of the church, told
the Hurriyet Daily News.
The tower was destroyed by cannon fire in 1915 on the grounds that
it was taller than the minarets of mosques. The new bell has been
crafted in a style similar to the original.
"This church, the greatest Armenian Church in the Middle East, is
a clear evidence of Armenian influence in Anatolia before 1915 and
now it has become a pilgrimage place for all Armenians from Turkey,
Armenia and the diaspora," Bedrosyan said.
The church was used as a command center by German officers during World
War I, and later used as an apparel depot by the state-owned Sumerbank
until 1950. It was finally returned to the Armenian community following
a lengthy legal struggle. The church reopened for worship last year,
a century after its construction.
Bedrosyan also hopes to restore the historical Varagavank Monastery
located in the eastern province of Van. "Both Ankara and Van
agreed to launch the restoration project, but social and natural
obstacles delayed the process. We wish to restore this church with
the cooperative efforts of both Turkish and Armenian experts,"
Bedrosyan said.
armradio.am
12:05 18.10.2012
A century after its establishment, the historical Surp Giragos
Armenian Church in Diyarbakir reopened for worship last year. Now,
the church is set to completely return to its former glory with the
installation of a new bell on Nov 4. The new bell, which weighs 100
kilograms, was produced in Moscow, the Hurriyet Daily News reports.
"The new bell, which weighs 100 kilograms, was produced in Moscow
and presented as a gift from the Russian Armenian community to
the Surp Giragos Church. It's already been delivered to Diyarbakir
and presented to the public," Istanbul-based Canadian artist Raffi
Bedrosyan, who contributed to the restoration of the church, told
the Hurriyet Daily News.
The tower was destroyed by cannon fire in 1915 on the grounds that
it was taller than the minarets of mosques. The new bell has been
crafted in a style similar to the original.
"This church, the greatest Armenian Church in the Middle East, is
a clear evidence of Armenian influence in Anatolia before 1915 and
now it has become a pilgrimage place for all Armenians from Turkey,
Armenia and the diaspora," Bedrosyan said.
The church was used as a command center by German officers during World
War I, and later used as an apparel depot by the state-owned Sumerbank
until 1950. It was finally returned to the Armenian community following
a lengthy legal struggle. The church reopened for worship last year,
a century after its construction.
Bedrosyan also hopes to restore the historical Varagavank Monastery
located in the eastern province of Van. "Both Ankara and Van
agreed to launch the restoration project, but social and natural
obstacles delayed the process. We wish to restore this church with
the cooperative efforts of both Turkish and Armenian experts,"
Bedrosyan said.