The chief editor of the Lebanon-based Azdak newspaper Shahan Kandaharyan received letters from the Adviser to the Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan to participate in the liturgy in Surb Khach Church on Akhtamar island. However, the editor rejected the invitation and did not leave for Turkey.

In an interview with the Yerkir media channel, Kanadaharyan explained the reasons for his refusal: “If everything went right, that is, the blockade of Armenia by Turkey was lifted, and diplomatic relations established between the two states, I might consider the Turkish side’s invitation.”

Noteworthy, many reporters from the Armenian Diaspora received an invitation to attend the liturgy in Surb Khach.

Armenian Deputy Patriarch of Constantinople Archbishop Aram Ateshyan conducted the religious service in the church.

The NEWS.am correspondent reports from Van, 90% of people who expressed a desire to visit Van canceled their hotel room bookings after they learned about the decision not to place the cross atop the dome.