Sourb Khach mass is over

The long-awaited mass in Sourb Khach Church (Saint Cross) in Van was over at about 3 p. m. Yerevan time. The liturgy was served by Archbishop Aram Ateshian, Deputy Patriarch of the Constantinople Patriarchate of the Armenian Church.

Despite early statements the Turkish authorities backtracked on their promise and failed to restore the cross on the church before the mass which drew many Armenians into disappointment and resulted in cancellation of many previously planned trips to Van.

Consequently, many hotel rooms previously booked in Van remained vacant with only 750 Istanbul-based Armenians arriving in Akhtamar.

About 300-400 foreign guests attended the liturgy service in Sourb Khach. They came mainly from US, Canada, Germany and other countries.

Mother See of Holly Etchmiadzin also joined many calls to boycott the mass and did not attend it.

Earlier it had said it would send two high-ranking representatives to Van to take part in the liturgy service.

Turkey renovated Sourb Khach in 2007 and opened it as a museum where no loud prayers or masses are allowed.