VAN. – Ninety-eight years after the Armenian Genocide, the fourth Divine Liturgy was served Sunday in Surp Khach (Holy Cross) Armenian Church at Akhtamar Island on Turkey’s Lake Van.   

The event was held without any incidents and in a warm atmosphere (PHOTOS).

This year’s mass stood out by an active participation by Armenians from Armenia, the Armenian News-NEWS.am reporter informs from Van. But numerous Armenians from Turkey likewise attended the divine service.   

The Holy Mass was offered by Archbishop Aram Ateshyan, the Armenian Deputy Patriarch of Constantinople, who informed that a baptism ceremony will be held at the church after 100 years. And following the divine service, the members of an Istanbul family, which had returned to their Armenian roots, and five persons from Armenia, including 8-year-old Van, were baptized.  

Armenia’s well-known political and public figures, the US Consul in Turkey’s Adana, the mayors of Van and Gevas, an MP representing Van, famous Turkish actor and director Kadir Inanir, and many other well-known officials and individuals also were on hand at the Holy Mass.       

The Turkish police were taking security measures at Akhtamar Island and the harbors toward the island. The police boats and helicopters were on duty around Lake Van, and rescue squads and ambulance staff were on duty on the island.      

The security officers on Akhtamar Island claimed that about 3,000 people were on the island at the time of the divine service, and more people visited the island throughout the day.