The historical Surp (Saint) Giragos Armenian Church of Turkey’s Diyarbakır Province, and which had reopened in 2011, has been damaged as a result of the Turkish-Kurdish clashes in recent months.

Several Diyarbakır residents told Armenian News-NEWS.am that this Armenian church, which is located in Sur district of Diyarbakır, is closed for the past two months.

The windows of the church were broken in the clashes, and the holes of fired bullets can be seen on its walls.

According to local residents, following the Turkish troops’ intense gunfire in recent days, it is still unknown in what condition Surp Giragos is, since the curfew in Sur is still in force.   

Surp Giragos, which is one of the largest churches in the Middle East, reopened as a functioning church and was reconsecrated on October 22, 2011, and the first Divine Liturgy was offered on the next day.

The Surp Giragos Armenian Church was restored with funding by Diyarbakır Armenians throughout the world, and Diyarbakır City Hall.