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AKHTAMAR'S SURB KHACH CHURCH INAUGURATED
AZG Armenian Daily
29/03/2007
Akhtamar Church Inauguration
Yesterday took place the official inauguration ceremony of the Akhtamar
Surb Khach (Holy Cross) church. Turkish media, CNN-Turk and "Milliet"
newspaper, reported the event under the following titles: "Church of
Akdamar Opened as a Museum" and "Museum of Akdamar Inaugurated". Note:
'akdamar' is Turkish for 'a white vein'.
As it was planned, Culture and Tourism Minister of Turkey Attila
Koc, head of Cultural Values and Museums Orhan Duzgun, Governor
of Van Ozdemir Cakacak and Patriarch of Constantinople Mesrob II
Mutafian took part in the inauguration ceremony. To the event were
also present US Ambassador to Turkey Nancy Makeldovny, Ambassador
of Israel Pinhas Avivi, the Armenian delegation and numerous other
guests - intellectuals, politicians and culture workers.
The leading mass media of Germany, Belgium, Denmark, Lebanon, Italy,
Russia, Holland, Britain and the USA also reported the event.
Head of Cultural Values and Museums Orhan Duzgun, who was to speak
fisrt, in his speech said that the Turkish Government in its pursuit of
restoration and repair of historical monuments has not forgot about the
Armenian people, who have lived alongside Turks of hundreds of years.
Archbishop Mesrob Mutafian expressed his gladness about the restoration
of the church. "This successful restoration displays all the attention
of our government that is paid to all historical monuments without any
discrimination. The restoration of the building, which has not been
perceived as a place prayer for 90 years, according to its original
look is indeed welcome. Each prayer said in this place will contribute
the rapprochement of peoples," he added.
The Patriarch again made a demand that once a year a divine service
be held in the church and a celebration on the Akhtamar isle. He said
he believes that the Government of Turkey will meet this demand.
Van District Governor Cakacak said that the town is the most possible
place in Eastern Turkey to become a sight of tourism, as it has been
the cradle of various civilizations. He explained the restoration of
Surb Khach by Turkey's respect for history and culture.
Last word on the ceremony belonged to Minister Koc. He said that the
restoration of the church will contribute the recognition of Van and
assured that the Government of Turkey will continue restoring and
repairing the historical monuments in the country.
In the meanwhile the police of Van arrested the five organizers of
a protest action in the town port against reopening of the newly
reconstructed church.
After the ceremony a foreign reporter asked Patriarch Mutafian
whether the cross of the church will be restored in its place. The
priest replied: "Some day, maybe". Culture Minister Koc, answering the
same question said that the question is to be settled by a scientific
commission. He was also asked whether the annual celebration of "Surb
Khach" holiday will be permitted by the authorities. The Minister
answered that he is not the single person to decide.
AZG Armenian Daily
29/03/2007
Akhtamar Church Inauguration
Yesterday took place the official inauguration ceremony of the Akhtamar
Surb Khach (Holy Cross) church. Turkish media, CNN-Turk and "Milliet"
newspaper, reported the event under the following titles: "Church of
Akdamar Opened as a Museum" and "Museum of Akdamar Inaugurated". Note:
'akdamar' is Turkish for 'a white vein'.
As it was planned, Culture and Tourism Minister of Turkey Attila
Koc, head of Cultural Values and Museums Orhan Duzgun, Governor
of Van Ozdemir Cakacak and Patriarch of Constantinople Mesrob II
Mutafian took part in the inauguration ceremony. To the event were
also present US Ambassador to Turkey Nancy Makeldovny, Ambassador
of Israel Pinhas Avivi, the Armenian delegation and numerous other
guests - intellectuals, politicians and culture workers.
The leading mass media of Germany, Belgium, Denmark, Lebanon, Italy,
Russia, Holland, Britain and the USA also reported the event.
Head of Cultural Values and Museums Orhan Duzgun, who was to speak
fisrt, in his speech said that the Turkish Government in its pursuit of
restoration and repair of historical monuments has not forgot about the
Armenian people, who have lived alongside Turks of hundreds of years.
Archbishop Mesrob Mutafian expressed his gladness about the restoration
of the church. "This successful restoration displays all the attention
of our government that is paid to all historical monuments without any
discrimination. The restoration of the building, which has not been
perceived as a place prayer for 90 years, according to its original
look is indeed welcome. Each prayer said in this place will contribute
the rapprochement of peoples," he added.
The Patriarch again made a demand that once a year a divine service
be held in the church and a celebration on the Akhtamar isle. He said
he believes that the Government of Turkey will meet this demand.
Van District Governor Cakacak said that the town is the most possible
place in Eastern Turkey to become a sight of tourism, as it has been
the cradle of various civilizations. He explained the restoration of
Surb Khach by Turkey's respect for history and culture.
Last word on the ceremony belonged to Minister Koc. He said that the
restoration of the church will contribute the recognition of Van and
assured that the Government of Turkey will continue restoring and
repairing the historical monuments in the country.
In the meanwhile the police of Van arrested the five organizers of
a protest action in the town port against reopening of the newly
reconstructed church.
After the ceremony a foreign reporter asked Patriarch Mutafian
whether the cross of the church will be restored in its place. The
priest replied: "Some day, maybe". Culture Minister Koc, answering the
same question said that the question is to be settled by a scientific
commission. He was also asked whether the annual celebration of "Surb
Khach" holiday will be permitted by the authorities. The Minister
answered that he is not the single person to decide.