The representatives of Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin Bishop Markos Hovhannisian and Archimandrite Komitas Hovnanian will attend the service at Surb Khach church in Akhtamar Island. The service will be conducted by the Head of the Religious Council of the Constantinople Patriarchate Archbishop Aram Ateshyan.

Earlier, the head of the press service of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin Vahram Melikyan told NEWS.am that Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II will not visit Turkey to attend the service scheduled for September 19.

The church was restored in 2007 and is presently functioning as a museum. On September 19, it will be open for religious services on the initiative of Van province Governor and Constantinople Patriarchate of the Armenian Apostolic Church. The Turkish side stated that a cross will be put on the dome of the church as well. Some Armenian NGOs oppose participation of the Armenian side in the ceremony. They claim the Armenian side should boycott it, as the event pursues political goals. They consider that Turkey wants to show that it does its utmost to normalize the Armenian-Turkish relations.

The issue was also discussed at the sitting of the Public Council Committee on Religion, Diaspora and External Integration.

The Armenian Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Culture have not received an official invitation to attend the September 19 service at Surb Khach church in Akhtamar Island.