German Ambassador to Turkey, the U.S. Embassy and Consulate representative, as well as representatives of the Swedish and the French Consulates attended a liturgy of the Holy Cross Church in Van, the head of the religious council of the Armenian Patriarchate of Constantinople Tatul Anushyan told the NEWS.am correspondent.

According to him, a number of Turkish officials, including the Mayors of Van and Gevas, the head of the Department of Museums and Antiquities, under Turkish Ministry of Tourism, as well as Van’s Chief of Police, attended the liturgy.

“The mayor of Van arrived in Akhtamar three days before the liturgy to supervise the preparations for the religious service. However, he did not take part in the service as his bodyguards and security measures might hinder the religious service,” Anushyan said.

As NEWS.am reported previously, on September 19 a liturgy was held at the Surb Khach (Holy Cross) in Akhtamar Island. The Turkish authorities made a disgraceful decision, delaying the installation of the cross on the church dome after the religious service.

A group of Armenian worshippers raised wooden crosses, in protest.

Only the Constantinople Patriarchate participated in the liturgy. The three other patriarchates of the Armenian Apostolic Church refused to take part in the liturgy, because the Turkish authorities refused to install a cross on atop the church. Armenian public representatives also refused to take part in the liturgy for the same reason, though they received invitations from the Turkish Premier. These public figures stated that Surb Khach church cannot be considered restored until a cross has been installed on its dome.