PM Erdogan to oversee re-opening of restored Armenian church on Van Lake
Güncelleme Tarihi:
Oluşturulma Tarihi: Mart 02, 2007 15:34
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, in what many are viewing as a surprise response to Armenian diaspora efforts to get the so-called Armenian genocide bill accepted in the US Congress, has announced plans to personally open up the Armenian Sacred Cross Church on Van Lake's Akdaman Island.
The church, which has been carefully restored in a Ministry of Culture and Tourism project, will be re-opened on March 29, a date which some speculate has been chosen to proceed the April date when the Armenian bill is to be debated in the US Congress. Erdogan is reportedly planning to attend the opening ceremony for the Sacred Cross Church with a crowded delegation of ruling AKP cabinet and MP members. High ranking members of the Armenian diaspora are reportedly also to be invited to the opening, including Armenia's own Minister of Culture and Tourism, Hasmik Poghosyan.
Meanwhile, debate as to whether or not a cross is to be put on the top of the Sacred Cross Church's steeple rages on. Atilla Koc, the Minister of Culture and Tourism, has noted "If it turns out the original had one, then this one will too." The church, which sits on the Akdaman Island in Van Lake, was originally built by Vaspurakan King Gagik I between the years of 915-921 AD.
Meanwhile, debate as to whether or not a cross is to be put on the top of the Sacred Cross Church's steeple rages on. Atilla Koc, the Minister of Culture and Tourism, has noted "If it turns out the original had one, then this one will too." The church, which sits on the Akdaman Island in Van Lake, was originally built by Vaspurakan King Gagik I between the years of 915-921 AD.