On September 14, the cross of Surb Khach Church was brought to Akhtamar Island from the Van Museum. Van Deputy Governor Aray Uslu himself participated in the transportation of the cross, Turkish Hurriyet daily reports
According to a local official, the Armenian clergymen in Istanbul will arrive in Van in two days and place the cross wherever they want. “Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism allowed the cross to be installed on the church. However, it is impossible to install the cross on the dome for technical reasons,” he said.
The 2.5 meters high and 1.3 meters wide 100-kg cross will be guarded by security officers.
Interestingly, Van businessmen promised to have the cross installed on the dome of the church before the September 19 liturgy.
