Liturgy to be served at Turkey's Aghtamar Armenian churchAugust 21, 2020 - 10:44 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Preparations have begun for a Holy Mass to be served at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross, a medieval Armenian church on Aghtamar Island, in Lake Van, Turkey, TRT Haber reports. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, though, a limited number of people will be able to participate in the ceremony on September 6. The first ritual in the historic church was held on September 19, 2010, after a 95-year break. According to Turkish media reports, though thousands of tourists from Turkey and abroad are expected to attend the ceremony this year, their entry to the territory of the church will be limited. The 1,100-year-old Akhtamar Church, a medieval Armenian place of worship in Turkey’s eastern Van province, was built between 915-921 A.D by architect Bishop Manuel, under the direction of King Gagik I Artsruni of Armenia. Turkey's Ministry of Culture and Tourism has carried out renovation and restoration works, and the church is now classed as a secular museum. 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 | Ex-Karabakh leader moved to solitary confinement cell in Baku, his son says David Vardanyan is the son of former Karabakh leader Ruben Vardanyan who who is currently imprisoned in Azerbaijan. Freedom House concerned by mounting reports of police violence in Armenia Freedom House urged Armenian authorities to investigate this pattern of excessive force and inhumane treatment. Ex-President: Only removal of “defeatist” rulers can save Armenia Former Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan has shared a message on the 109th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Pashinyan: We must stop searching for homeland, we have found that homeland Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has shared a message on the 109th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. |