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BELL TO TOLL ONCE MORE AT DIYARBAKıR CHURCH
Hurriyet Daily News
Oct 17 2012
Turkey
ISTANBUL- Hurriyet Daily News
by Vercihan Ziflioglu
A century after its establishment, the historical Surp Giragos
Armenian Church in Diyarbakır 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
Photo: Canadian artist Raffi Bedrosyan, who contributed to the
restoration of the church, poses with the new bell.
One of Diyarbakır's most important churches, Surp (St.) Giragos
Armenian Church, will unveil its new bell at a ceremony early next
month following restoration on the historical house of worship
last year.
"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 Diyarbakır
and presented to the public," Istanbul-based Canadian artist Raffi
Bedrosyan, who contributed to the restoration of the church, recently
told the Hurriyet Daily News ahead of the Nov. 4 ceremony for the
new bell.
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 by Russian Armenians in Moscow.
"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.
Church reopened last year 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.
October/18/2012
http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/bell-to-toll-once-more-at-diyarbakir-church.aspx?pageID=238&nID=32631&NewsCatID=393
From: Baghdasarian
Hurriyet Daily News
Oct 17 2012
Turkey
ISTANBUL- Hurriyet Daily News
by Vercihan Ziflioglu
A century after its establishment, the historical Surp Giragos
Armenian Church in Diyarbakır 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
Photo: Canadian artist Raffi Bedrosyan, who contributed to the
restoration of the church, poses with the new bell.
One of Diyarbakır's most important churches, Surp (St.) Giragos
Armenian Church, will unveil its new bell at a ceremony early next
month following restoration on the historical house of worship
last year.
"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 Diyarbakır
and presented to the public," Istanbul-based Canadian artist Raffi
Bedrosyan, who contributed to the restoration of the church, recently
told the Hurriyet Daily News ahead of the Nov. 4 ceremony for the
new bell.
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 by Russian Armenians in Moscow.
"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.
Church reopened last year 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.
October/18/2012
http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/bell-to-toll-once-more-at-diyarbakir-church.aspx?pageID=238&nID=32631&NewsCatID=393
From: Baghdasarian