After the Turkish authorities allowed annual religious services to be held at the Surb Khach church on Akhtamar Island, an IHA correspondent met with Head of Religious Council of the Armenian Patriarchate Archbishop Aram Ateshyan.

Ateshyan said that no official notification has yet been received from the Patriarchate, but they are happy over the news. “When the Surb Khach church opened in 2007 as museum, we asked for religious services to be allowed there at least once a year. I will conduct this year’s service on the occasion of Holy Cross of Varag holiday on September 12. I believe, numerous Armenians from various parts of the world will come to attend the service that day,” Ateshyan said.

Turkish Minister of Culture and Tourism Ertugrul Gunay signed the Van Governor’s application for permission of annual religious services at Surb Khach church.

T.P.