Turkish Authorities Allow to Place a Cross on Surb Khach

Turkish authorities have officially allowed placing a cross on the dome of the Armenian Church Surb Khach (Saint Cross) on Akhtamar Island in Lake Van, Eastern Turkey, said Turkish Tourism Minister Ertugrul Gunay, reported by the local Turkish daily Hurriyet.

Referring to this publication Primate of the Armenian Patriarchate of Constantinople Archbishop Aram Atesyan said that they have not received yet any formal notification about it.

"Unfortunately, no official notification has been sent to us in relation to the placing of the cross much in the same way as we were not notified about the permit to offer a liturgy in the church. We come to know about these developments from the press. But we are very happy about that news" said Atesyan.

Earlier it was reported that a liturgy service planned to be held on September 12 in the Armenian Church Surb Khach would be delayed for a week until September 19.