The Turkish authorities promised to install the cross on the dome of Surb Khach (Holy Cross) Church on Akhtamar Island in Van in the two months coming, Armenian Deputy Patriarch of Constantinople Archbishop Aram Ateshyan told NEWS.am.

According to him, the cross will be erected on the church till November.

“The governor told me the cross should be installed on the dome of the church. When the state promises to do something, you have to wait and see whether it will keep its word. I am waiting with anticipation” he stressed.

As reported previously, on September 19 Armenian Deputy Patriarch of Constantinople Archbishop Aram Ateshyan conducted the religious service in the church. The Holy See of Echmiadzin, the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem and the Holy See of Cilicia refused to take part in the liturgy in Surb Khach (Holy Cross), as the Turkish authorities refused to install a cross atop the church.