VAN. – Hundreds of Armenians from all around the world attended the Divine Liturgy that was offered Sunday in Surp Khach (Holy Cross) Church of Akhtamar Island on Lake Van in Turkey.

Archbishop Aram Atesyan, who is General Vicar of the Armenian Patriarchate of Constantinople, as well as Greek Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople, the Patriarchal Vicar of the Assyrian Orthodox Church, several other senior clergy, and representatives of the Van authorities were on hand at the Holy Mass, the Armenian News-NEWS.am reporter informed from location.  

It is noteworthy, however, that primarily Turks and Kurds were in attendance to this year’s mass, and special places were allocated for them in the church. 

Nonetheless, the Armenians, who had come from Russia, US and Europe to attend the Divine Liturgy, were enthused. They told our reporter that what is important for them is to visit the birthplace of their forebears.   

A large number of foreigners also were on hand at the mass. Incidentally, some of them had arrived in Van from Armenia’s capital city Yerevan, where they had participated in a conference.   

In 2007, the Surp Khach Church of Akhtamar Island was renovated—with the means provided by the Turkish government—, and it opened as a museum for visitors. Subsequently, the Armenian Patriarchate of Constantinople petitioned to the Turkish government with a request to permit to celebrate Holy Mass in the church once a year. In 2010, the Turkish government granted this request and also allowed that a cross be placed on the dome of the church.