Catholic Armenians celebrate landmark mass in Turkey's IzmirAugust 16, 2017 - 14:38 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Turkey's Catholic Armenian community held a religious service on Monday, August 14 in the western city of Izmir's St. John Cathedral Basilica, Daily Sabah reports. The Mass bears importance for the community as it is the first time they were able to pray in the historic church in 95 years. The 19th-century basilica, heavily damaged in the Great Izmir Fire in 1922, was handed over to the use of NATO troops based in the city in the 1960s and was left unused for decades before its restoration in 2013. Rev. Vartan Kazanciyan from an Istanbul Armenian church presided over the religious service attended by some 150 people. The basilica was among the properties returned to ethnic and religious minorities after decades of discriminatory state policies toward those minorities Top stories The EU does not intend to conduct military exercises with Armenia, Lead Spokesperson for EU Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Peter Stano says. A telephone conversation between Putin and Pashinyan before the CSTO summit is not planned, Peskov says. London’s Armenian community has been left feeling “under attack” after the city’s Genocide monument was vandalised. The United States believes there should be an international mission to provide transparency. Partner news | Turkey extends military presence in Azerbaijan The Turkish parliament has adopted a bill submitted by Recep Tayyip Erdogan to extend the mandate of Turkish troops. Russia to begin assessing migrant workers' speaking skills Rosobrnadzor is planning to change the Russian language exam for migrant workers and include an assessment of speaking skills Armenian, Saudi Foreign Minister meet in Riyadh The two commended the positive dynamics of the development of political dialogue between Armenia and Saudi Arabia Pashinyan: Azerbaijan’s proximity shouldn’t worry border residents At the same time, he said that he “does not guarantee [the security of villagers] one hundred percent”. |