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 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."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.Family of Ilham Aliyev’s security chief owns vast property in UK As head of security for Azerbaijan’s president, Eyyubov is closely trusted by one of the world’s most authoritarian leaders.Armenian army holding strategic command, staff drills Live firing will be carried out using automatic control systems and modern equipment. |
