Armenian Patriarch Vicar of Constantinople, Archbishop Aram Ateshyan met with Governor of Van in Turkey and got acquainted with preparations for the liturgy in Surb Khach church on Akhtamar Island on September 11.

Governor of Van Munir Karaoglu stressed Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism gave a permission to conduct a liturgy once a year to regional administration of Van, IHA agency reports.

“The first liturgy was conducted in 2010. We discussed the works with Archbishop Aram Ateshyan. I hope the liturgy will be conducted due to joint activities this year,” he noted.

As Armenian News-NEWS.am reported earlier, on September 19, a liturgy service was held in the Armenian Church Surb Khach located on Akhtamar Island in Lake Van. Aram Archbishop Ateshyan, Head of the Religious Council of the Armenian Patriarchate conducted the ceremony. Holy See of Echmiadzin, Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem and Holy See of Cilicia refused to take part in the liturgy in Surb Khach (Holy Church) on Akhtamar Island due to the Turkish authorities’ disgraceful decision to install the cross on the church after the liturgy.