Turkey would open an Armenian church in an eastern city to worship in 2010December 24, 2009 - 14:35 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Munir Karaloglu, the governor of the eastern province of Van, said they would open the Akdamar Church to worship in September 2010."We expect all Armenian citizens to a prayer at the Akdamar Church on September 12, 2010," Karaloglu told AA correspondent. The Akdamar Church on Akdamar Island on Lake Van was opened in 2007 as a museum after it was restored by the Turkish government between May 2005 and October 2006. The restoration costed 1.7 million USD (2.6 million Turkish liras). Karaloglu said he had contacted the Ministry of Culture and Tourism for opening of the church to worship, and they would invite all Armenians to the prayer in 2010. Then Turkish Culture & Tourism Minister Atilla Koc, then Armenian Deputy Minister of Culture Gagik Gyurjan, and Mesrob II, the patriarch of Turkish Armenians, participated in the inauguration ceremony on March 29, 2007. The Akdamar Church was constructed by architect bishop Manuel between 915 and 921 A.D. under the supervision of King Gagik I. Among the important pieces of Armenian architecture, the church draws attraction with its stone workmanship and the relieves on its walls. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Court in Azerbaijan extends former Karabakh leader’s arrest by 5 months The Binagadi District Court in Azerbaijan has granted the prosecutor’s petition to extend the arrest of Arkady Ghukasyan. Ucom General Director joins High-Tech Development Panel Discussion The discussion was titled "The Role of International Corporations and Investors as Catalysts for Development of High-Tech Ecosystem." U.S. still believes “peace is possible” between Armenia, Azerbaijan The United States continues to believe that peace is possible between Armenia and Azerbaijan, Vedant Patel says. Dozens detained as antigovernment protest continue in Armenia At least 63 people demanding Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s resignation were detained on May 14 as they blocked streets in Yerevan. |