KARS. – The Armenians from Armenia, who are on their way for the Holy Mass to be celebrated at Surb Khach Armenian church on Akhtamar Island in Van, have greatly livened up commerce in Kars, Armenian News-NEWS.am’s reporter informs from Kars.

Because of geographical location, those heading from Armenia to Van must pass through Kars, and the latter’s historical and cultural monuments cause the Armenian tourists to spend a great amount of time and money in Kars. A currency exchange office operator in Kars informed Armenian News-NEWS.am’s reporter that, in connection with the Holy Liturgy in Van, huge number of Armenians from Armenia came to Kars, and each Armenian exchanged an average of $150 US at their office.       

The Kars residents note that these days there is a pleasant commotion in their otherwise calm city. “Great number of Istanbul-Armenians came to Kars yesterday, who were also going to Van for the Surb Khach mass, and today I see numerous Armenian microbuses in Kars. I wish the border with Armenia would open and such liveliness be permanent,” stated a tourism representative from Kars, adding that all hotels in Kars currently are full capacity.      

On September 11, a Holy Mass devoted to the observance of the Holy Cross will be celebrated at Surb Khach Armenian church on Akhtamar Island in Van. The mass will be celebrated by Armenian Deputy Patriarch of Constantinople, Archbishop Aram Ateshyan.