PodcastArmenian Akhtamar Church in eastern Turkey holds 10th holy mass since reopening
The historic Armenian church on Lake Van's Akhtamar Island has hosted its 10th special mass since reopening in 2010.
Duvar English
A 1,100-year-old Armenian church in Turkey's eastern Van province hosted its 10th special mass on Sept. 4 since reopening in 2010 after a 95-year hiatus.
Sahak Mashalian, the head of the Armenian Patriarchate in Turkey, and Father Harutyun Damatian came to the island along with his clergy to conduct the ceremony in the Akhtamar Church, Anadolu Agency reported.
The mass was led by Damatian and attended by 46 clergymen from the patriarchate and some visitors from Istanbul, Armenia, and other parts of the world.
Speaking at the mass, Mashalian made remarks on the ongoing dialogue between Turkey and Armenia.
Stressing that Turkish and Armenian nations share a thousand years of co-existence, Mashalian said that the two nations can develop promising and brighter relations.