Aram Ateshyan demands that cross be place on Akhtamar Island’s St. Cross Church

ISTANBUL, APRIL 22, ARMENPRESS: Primate of the Armenian Patriarchate of Constantinople Aram Ateshyan stated that he has not received any official note about permitting conduction of church service once in a year in the St. Cross Church of Akhtamar Island that is with certain restrictions, many times stated by the Turkish government officials.

Armenpress reports citing “Hurriyet” that A. Ateshyan considered unacceptable any restriction connected with duration and number of participants in the church service. “In case of such restriction no church ceremony will be held there.”

“St. Cross Church is a saint place for world Armenians. For participating in the church service thousands of people from all over the world will arrive. How can we tell this people that the allowed limit has been filled and that they cannot come to the island? Or can we say during the ceremony that the time is over stop praying? There is already no place in the Van hotel for September 12. This people come to Van not for tourism purpose but to participate in the service,” he said.

Ateshyan demanded that the Turkish authorities allow to write “St. Cross” name on the church and place on the dome the cross donated by Patriarch Mesrob B. “It is our most natural right. The cross sent by the Patriarch is waiting in the museum. Having name the church nevertheless is being called Akhtamar church. We demand that the real name of the church be written on it and cross be placed on the dome,” Ateshyan said.