Armenians pray in Holy Cross Church amid tight security measures September 9, 2012 - 15:34 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Local and Diaspora Armenians flocked to the Armenian Church of the Holy Cross on Akhtamar Island in Turkey’s eastern province of Van on Sunday, Sept 9, to attend its third annual religious ceremony. Today’s Zaman reports that many Armenians traveled to the town of Gevaş in the eastern province of Van early Sunday morning by bus or minibus, to take the 20-minute journey the island in boats. Attendees lit candles and prayed in the southern part of the church during the ceremony which at 11.00 am amid tight security measures. The Church of the Holy Cross was in ruins and on the verge of collapse when a restoration project was launched in 2005. It officially opened for worship on Sept 12, 2010.   Top stories Six total incidents have burned 19 old-growth trees. Friday night 8 trees were torched along the beautiful main entrance. The EU does not intend to conduct military exercises with Armenia, Lead Spokesperson for EU Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Peter Stano says. Hikmet Hajiyev has said that there is no place for USAID operation in Azerbaijan any longer. A telephone conversation between Putin and Pashinyan before the CSTO summit is not planned, Peskov says.   Partner news |  Latest news European Parliament to discuss repression in Azerbaijan  The European Parliament will discuss repression of civil society in Azerbaijan on April 24PACE wants concessions from Azerbaijan to accept Baku back A PACE co-rapporteur said that Azerbaijani authorities must make certain concessions so that the country can return to PACE.Armenia PM, France envoy discuss regional matters Issues related to the consistent development of Armenia-France cooperation were discussed.Azerbaijan razes historic Armenian church to ground Azerbaijan has demolished the historic Armenian Church of St. John the Baptist (known as Kanach Zham). |
