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.