Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute and «Menk» youth movement, initiated a liturgy followed by a protest rally at the Armenian Genocide Memorial in Yerevan. Protestors condemned The Turkish Government for publicity stunts over the Surb Khach Church on the island of Akhtamar. (Photos).

A Crowded procession began to climb to the memorial complex at the foot of Tsitsernakaberd, - where Armenian Genocide Memorial is located--carrying banners, «Do not give us our church for rent» and «Turkey comply with your international obligations» and shouting the word «shame». Representatives of public organizations, government agencies, ordinary Armenian citizens and representatives of ethnic minorities attended the protest rally.

In his speech Hkop Hakopyan the head of the youth movement «Menk» noted that modern Turkey's behavior to continue to falsify history once again proves that it can not change. This is a publicity stunt for the international community. With this move, Turkey wants to show everyone that they are democratic, but the Turkish government is unable to erase the word «shame» from its bloody forehead.

In memory of victims of the Armenian Genocide was served a liturgy, which began at the same time with the liturgy held in the Surb Khach Church on Akhtamar Islands in Turkey.

Noteworthy that, Sept 19, liturgy in the Surb Khach Church is the first in 100 years and only the Armenian Patriarchate of Constantinople is participating in the liturgy in Surb Khach. Holy See of Echmiadzin, Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem and Holy See of Cilicia refused to take part in the liturgy in Surb Khach (Holy Cross) due to the Turkish authorities’ decision to install the cross on the church after the liturgy.

Photo and video by Gagik Shamshyan