Culture and Tourism Ministry of Turkey will allow worship at a church in Van
The Culture and Tourism Ministry of Turkey will allow worship once a year at a church in Van, according to a statement released Thursday.
The historical Surb Khach (Holy Cross) Church on Akdamar Island in the eastern district of Van was renovated and opened as a museum in 2007 by former Culture Minister Atilla Koc. Since then, debate has centered on whether the church would once again be opened for prayer. Buildings designated as museums are not allowed to host religious services under Turkish law.
In an interview with the Hürriyet Daily News & Economic Review in January, Culture Minister Ertuğrul Günay said the ministry was making the final legal arrangements to allow the church to open for prayer once a year.
Surb Khach Church remains a topic of considerable debate especially around speculation surrounding whether a cross would be set atop the church. The decision on the cross is still pending, Hürriyet Daily News reported.
The historical Surb Khach (Holy Cross) Church on Akdamar Island in the eastern district of Van was renovated and opened as a museum in 2007 by former Culture Minister Atilla Koc. Since then, debate has centered on whether the church would once again be opened for prayer. Buildings designated as museums are not allowed to host religious services under Turkish law.
In an interview with the Hürriyet Daily News & Economic Review in January, Culture Minister Ertuğrul Günay said the ministry was making the final legal arrangements to allow the church to open for prayer once a year.
Surb Khach Church remains a topic of considerable debate especially around speculation surrounding whether a cross would be set atop the church. The decision on the cross is still pending, Hürriyet Daily News reported.
