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TWO REASONS WHY BELLS OF ARMENIAN CHURCHES IN TURKEY WILL NOT BE RUNG - RUBEN MELKONYAN
12:33 â~@¢ 24.03.15
The bells of Armenian churches in Turkey will not be rung on April
23 for the following two reasons:
Turkey's government policy and the Armenian community in Istanbul,
particularly some of its leaders, who are seeking the Turkish
authorities' favor and sometimes take steps even Turkey's authorities
cannot understand, Ruben Melkonyan, Dean of the Department of Oriental
Studies, Yerevan State University, told Tert.am.
"Turkey is interfering in the life of religious communities, including
the life of the Armenian community, often putting obstacles to their
religious ceremonies," Mr Melkonyan said.
The Patriarch of Constantinople of the Armenian Apostolic Church
will not take part in the events marking the 100th anniversary of
the Armenian Genocide, on April 23.
The Istanbul-based Agos newspaper wrote earlier that Archbishop Aram
AteÅ~_yan stated an event would take place on April 24. However,
the bells of Turkey's Armenian churches will not be rung 100 times,
whereas it will be done throughout the world.
To hold a religious service at the Surb Khach church on Aghtamar
Island, the Armenian community has to apply to the Turkish authorities
for permission.
"This is not an exception as well. It is manifestation of Turkish
society's dislike for non-Muslims. That is, ringing bells 100 times
amid public pressure may result in serious clashes," Mr Melkonyan said.
The second factor is that some of the Armenian community's leaders
seek to appear "more Catholic than the Pope." They cannot deny the
fact that the ban on ringing the bells was issued by the community's
leaders and Patriarch rather than by the Turkish authorities.
"They are seeking to curry favor with Turkey's authorities," Mr
Melkonyan said.
The Armenian community in Turkey is divided over the issue: some
members will mark April 24 in a different way, whereas the community
leaders will follow the "official scenario."
"Regrettably, the Patriarch of Constantinople and Archbishop Aram
AteÅ~_yan are playing a leading role. The other part - more independent
and opposition members - will organize events.
"We are going to see disunity within Istanbul's Armenian community
even on the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, which is
one more piece of evidence of the Turkish authorities' policy,"
Mr Melkonyan said.
http://www.tert.am/en/news/2015/03/24/ruben-melqonyan/1625803
From: A. Papazian
12:33 â~@¢ 24.03.15
The bells of Armenian churches in Turkey will not be rung on April
23 for the following two reasons:
Turkey's government policy and the Armenian community in Istanbul,
particularly some of its leaders, who are seeking the Turkish
authorities' favor and sometimes take steps even Turkey's authorities
cannot understand, Ruben Melkonyan, Dean of the Department of Oriental
Studies, Yerevan State University, told Tert.am.
"Turkey is interfering in the life of religious communities, including
the life of the Armenian community, often putting obstacles to their
religious ceremonies," Mr Melkonyan said.
The Patriarch of Constantinople of the Armenian Apostolic Church
will not take part in the events marking the 100th anniversary of
the Armenian Genocide, on April 23.
The Istanbul-based Agos newspaper wrote earlier that Archbishop Aram
AteÅ~_yan stated an event would take place on April 24. However,
the bells of Turkey's Armenian churches will not be rung 100 times,
whereas it will be done throughout the world.
To hold a religious service at the Surb Khach church on Aghtamar
Island, the Armenian community has to apply to the Turkish authorities
for permission.
"This is not an exception as well. It is manifestation of Turkish
society's dislike for non-Muslims. That is, ringing bells 100 times
amid public pressure may result in serious clashes," Mr Melkonyan said.
The second factor is that some of the Armenian community's leaders
seek to appear "more Catholic than the Pope." They cannot deny the
fact that the ban on ringing the bells was issued by the community's
leaders and Patriarch rather than by the Turkish authorities.
"They are seeking to curry favor with Turkey's authorities," Mr
Melkonyan said.
The Armenian community in Turkey is divided over the issue: some
members will mark April 24 in a different way, whereas the community
leaders will follow the "official scenario."
"Regrettably, the Patriarch of Constantinople and Archbishop Aram
AteÅ~_yan are playing a leading role. The other part - more independent
and opposition members - will organize events.
"We are going to see disunity within Istanbul's Armenian community
even on the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, which is
one more piece of evidence of the Turkish authorities' policy,"
Mr Melkonyan said.
http://www.tert.am/en/news/2015/03/24/ruben-melqonyan/1625803
From: A. Papazian