YEREVAN, 6 APRIL, ARMENPRESS. The Saint Giragos Armenian Church of Diyarbakir celebrated Easter. As “Armenpress” reports, the Turkish service of BBC prepared a special report on the festive mood and ceremonies at the Armenian church.

The BBC reporter mentions that eggs are painted on one side of the church, and the pastry for Easter is made on the other side. Semiha Demir, 57, who had come to help prepare for Easter, said his two grandfathers were Armenian, but had converted to Islam.

The reporter also mentions that the expression “My grandfather was also Armenian”, is very common in Diyarbakir, as well as in the nearby regions. One of them is Knar, who was baptized four years ago and was busy preparing the eggs. “I am from Sasun. My grandfather was forcefully converted when he was 17. His  name was Chuchan, but he became Abdurrahman,” Knar said, adding that her husband has also been baptized and has returned to his Armenian roots.

Ayten Ekij, one of the participants, also shared her story and mentioned that even though she is one of the grandchildren of survivors, the Turks weren’t able to eliminate them.

The reporter mentions that there are currently very few Armenians living in Diyarbakir and that 50 of them have returned to their Armenian identity. Sargis Eken, 78, is the only one who was born and raised as an Armenian in Diyarbakir. He has health problems, and even though he had promised to come to the church to celebrate Easter, he hadn’t been able to keep his word.

After the Holy Mass at the church, the painted eggs and Easter pastries were handed to the attending guests.