Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin has not received invitation to participate in religious ceremony after a cross was installed on Surb Khach church on Akhtamar Island. However, we will discuss the issue, our participation is not ruled out, His Grace Bishop Arshak Khachatrian of Holy See of Etchmiadzin told the reporters today.

According to him, presently there is no obstacle for Armenia’s clergy to participate in Surb Khach services. “We have received invitation from the Constantinople Patriarchate to attend the service. Taking into account present developments, the issue should be discussed once more,” Bishop said. He evaded the answer on current state of relations between Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin and Constantinople Patriarchate.

He noted that speaking of these relations one should take into account the atmosphere in which Constantinople Patriarchate is functioning. Bishop stressed that Turkey’s gestures towards Christian minorities are aimed to improve country’s image in the eyes of international community. 

Arshak Khachatrian recalled that the Istanbul Armenian community has 16 functioning churches. He also highly appreciated efforts by people who can preserve Armenian churches under such difficult conditions.