More people attend liturgy of Holy Cross Church on Aghtamar Island this year

The liturgy held in the Church of the Holy Cross of Aghtamar Island in Lake Van drew more attention to itself, unlike last year, Armenpress reported.

After the church renovation, the Turkish government refused to place a cross on its dome for a long time, but eventually the cross was placed as Armenians all over the world staged protests.
Although the Church of the Holy Cross started functioning as a museum, the Turkish authorities allowed a liturgy to be held there once a year.

The security measures in connection with this year’s liturgy were unprecedented. The representatives of the Turkish special services escorted the arrivals from Armenia from the hotels, and dozens of police officers carried out enhanced patrols on the island to prevent possible troubles by local extremist Turks or Azerbaijanis. A police helicopter circled above the island throughout the liturgy.

Fortunately, there were no incidents and the ceremony went on normally. The ceremony, by the way, was attended not only by Armenians, but also by many tourists from different countries, as well as local Kurds and Turks. There were so many people gathered that the liturgy first started inside and then continued in the churchyard with the same ritual.

After the liturgy, His Beatitude Archbishop Sahak Mashalian, Armenian Patriarch of Constantinople, told Armenpress:

“It is a great privilege for us to conduct liturgy in the Church of the Holy Cross. This is a spiritual and cultural value with a history of a thousand and one hundred years. Although it is now a museum, thanks to a special privilege, a holy liturgy is held here once a year. Thank God we have such an opportunity. The Church of the Holy Cross is the only church in all of Eastern Anatolia that has a cross on its dome, so that is a great evidence in itself.”

The bishop noted that people had different feelings, whether they were officials or pilgrims, and for the clergy, the day was truly glorious. He informed that about one million people visit Aghtamar Island every year.

“When people are silent, stones speak. Being on the island did not prevent the church from being well preserved. We celebrated the long-awaited liturgy for the sake of all Armenians, creating a spiritual connection between us and our ancestors. Their blessing is upon us. We always remember them in our prayers, and the liturgy, in turn, brings great grace to all Armenians,” Archbishop Mashalian said.