A cross will top Surb Khach church on Akhtamar Island. Relevant permission was received, said Turkish Minister of Culture and Tourism Ertugrul Gunay.

Talking to Atlas magazine, the Minister stated that the decision to install a cross was made by the Department of Nature Protection and Cultural Heritage of Van. Gunay said that cross will be placed before this September.

Head of Religious Council of the Armenian Patriarchate, Archbishop Aram Ateshyan noted that they have not received an official statement yet.

Surb Khach church on Akhtamar Island will be opened for religious ceremonies on September 19, 2010.

A.G.