Turkey to open Armenian church to worship in eastern city, governor says

Münir Karaloğlu, the governor of the eastern province of Van, said they would open the Akdamar Church to worship in September 2010.

"We expect all Armenian citizens to a prayer at the Akdamar Church on September 12, 2010," Karaloğlu told the Anatolia news agency.

The Akdamar Church on Akdamar Island on Lake Van was opened in 2007 as a museum after it was restored by the Turkish government between May 2005 and October 2006. The restoration costed 1.7 million USD (2.6 million Turkish liras).

Karaloğlu said he had contacted the Ministry of Culture and Tourism for opening of the church to worship, and they would invite all Armenians to the prayer in 2010.

Then Turkish Culture & Tourism Minister Atilla Koç, then Armenian Deputy Minister of Culture Gagik Gyurjan, and Mesrob II, the patriarch of Turkish Armenians, participated in the inauguration ceremony on March 29, 2007.

The Akdamar Church was constructed by architect bishop Manuel between 915 and 921 A.D. under the supervision of King Gagik I.

Among the important pieces of Armenian architecture, the church draws attraction with its stone workmanship and the relieves on its walls.