Only Armenian community of Istanbul is entitled to decide anything about the liturgy on Akhtamar

PanARMENIAN.Net - Of course, there is some truth in such statements, but some politicians’ calls to ignore the liturgy on Akhtamar are nothing but an attempt to show themselves holier than the Pope. Of course, you may not go to Van. You may not go to Western Armenia and may not see what has remained of the Armenian architecture. Nevertheless, supporters of the so-called boycott do not know exactly against what they stand. In our view, a very important fact is to be clarified here. Only the Armenian community of Istanbul has the right to decide anything about Akhtamar. Only they were granted permission to offer services in the renovated church once a year. Besides, all matters regarding the church service, the election of the Patriarch of Constantinople, and the return of property is decided by the Government of Turkey and not by that of Armenia or by some public organizations in Yerevan. In this case, excessive tension is harmful not only for the Istanbul community, but also for the nation as a whole. Moreover, without understanding the reasons for the postponement of the day of worship, some, if I may say so, historians state they will go to Van when they find it necessary. The most interesting thing is that one can really go to Van or to Western Armenia (Eastern Anatolia) any time before September 19. The thing is that certain politicians have seized a good opportunity to declare themselves as “patriots who are concerned about the fate of the Armenian heritage in Turkey.” Representative of the subcommittee on issues of Religion, Diaspora and International Integration of the RA Public Council, Zhasmen Asryan submitted the subcommittee’s statement on this matter, which in particular said that an Armenian with national and religious dignity should refrain from participating in the liturgy in the Holy Cross Church. She also reported that in the near future the subcommittee would submit its declaration to Head of the Public Council Vazgen Manukyan.

Seriously speaking, visiting a church is a purely personal matter and nobody has the right to prohibit or allow attending the liturgy on September 19 in the Holy Cross Church on Akhtamar. Of course, Turkey needs such steps for her positive image in the world. Any initiative of the Government in respect of minorities pursues certain goals. What is interesting is that after 88 years a liturgy was offered in the Greek Monastery Sumele, which attracted more than 2000 Greek pilgrims from all over the world. And this fact was properly treated in Greece, though the Greeks also feel rancor towards Turkey.

So, to go or not to go to Akhtamar on 19 September is a purely personal matter and it is incorrect, if not to say more, to play with moral values and almost blame Turkey for authorizing the liturgy. In the end, every state, including Turkey, does what it considers necessary and important. Unfortunately, this is also true about the genocide of Christian nations...