Turks 'installed' cross on Sourb Khach Church

Turkish authorities have reportedly installed the cross on the dome of Sourb Khach Church (Saint Cross) in Van, Eastern Turkey, a source told Tert.am.

"We have received new reports that Turkish authorities installed yesterday a cross on Sourb Khach Church on Akhtamar Island in Van. The island is closed [for visitors] today, and Van's Governor and Deputy Patriarch of the Armenian Patriarchate [in Istanbul] Aram Ateshyan are going to open the church tomorrow after the installment of the cross," Turkologist Ruben Melkonyan told Tert.am.
Mr Melkonyan said that there is no official confirmation of the news.

Asked to comment on the Turkish authorities' move, Mr Melkonyan said that Ankara attempts with this step to ease tensions caused by Turkey's recent decision to allow members of Justice and Development Party to pray namaz in the ruins of medieval Armenian town of Ani.

"By allowing the namaz they are trying to ease anti-Government atmosphere in their society sparked after the decision to allow the mass in Sourb Khach," explained Mr Melkonyan, adding that by installing the cross on Sourb Khach the Turkish authorities attempt to ease ire in the Armenian society after Ankara allowed Justice and Development Partry members to pray namaz in the ruins of Ani.

According to Mr Melkonyan, these are attempts to keep balance.