ISTANBUL. – After a 1.5-year renovation, the 19th-century Vortvots Vorodman Armenian Church reopened in Istanbul on Wednesday. 

Several senior Turkish officials also attended the event, Vatan daily of Turkey writes.

During the official reopening, spiritual leader of the Jewish community and the Greek Patriarch were also alongside Armenian Deputy Patriarch of Constantinople, Archbishop Aram Ateshyan. 

But this event was politicized, too. In his remarks, Hayati Yazici, the Turkish Minister of Customs and Trade, criticized France for passing the bill that criminalizes the denial of Armenian Genocide, pointing to what they are doing for their Armenian brothers. 

To note, the Turkish government covered 70 percent of Vortvots Vorodman Church’s renovation costs while the Armenian Church Fund covered the rest. Approximately US$ 1.5 million was spent for the renovation, and, after its reopening, the Church will also be used for holding cultural events.