Aghtamar Church Service
WHY WOULD ARMENIANS GO TO AKHTAMAR AND BECOME
TOOLS OF TURKISH PROPAGANDA?
Harut Sassounian
Tert.am
18.08.10
Ever since the Genocide, after nearly a century of banning Armenian
church services, the Turkish government has finally decided to allow
a one-time celebration of Mass to be held at the 10th Century Holy
Cross Church on Akhtamar Island.
Questions have been raised about the prudence of attending the Sept.
19 church services to which the Turkish government has invited
Armenians from around the world, members of the international media
and foreign Ambassadors and dignitaries. Those calling for a boycott
indicate that the true aim of the Turkish authorities is to score
propaganda points with the European Union and the United States,
by feigning tolerance towards Christians and other minorities. In
reality, successive Turkish governments have carried out a systematic
policy of eliminating all visible signs of Armenian presence throughout
Western Armenia (Eastern Turkey) for over nine decades, during which
more than 2,000 Armenian churches and monasteries have been destroyed
or converted into non-religious use. The Holy Cross Church itself
was targeted for demolition some years ago, but was saved by the
intervention of a local Turkish official.
Critics of those traveling to Akhtamar also object to the Turkish
government's classification of the historic church as a "museum,"
and holding services only once a year. After many requests and
complaints, Turkish officials have finally promised to place a cross
on the church's dome.
There is no reason for Armenians to be grateful to a country that,
after confiscating and destroying thousands of churches, is now
allowing a religious ceremony in a single church, which it classifies
as a museum. This church and thousands of others should belong to
the Armenian Patriarchate of Istanbul, and services should be held
as needed, without governmental permission or interference.
Last week, tempers flared in Armenia when the Holy See of Etchmiadzin
announced its intention to send two clergymen to the Sept. 19
ceremonies. His Holiness Catholicos Karekin II usually consults with
Armenian officials before taking decisions on matters involving foreign
countries. Since he was absent from Armenia while this announcement
was made and possibly unaware of the objections raised, His Holiness
now has the opportunity to make a final determination regarding the
sending of representatives of the Holy See to Akhtamar.
As Armenians in Turkey are not permitted to freely express their
views, Church officials and lay leaders outside Turkey should take the
initiative to condemn the Turkish exploitation of Armenian religious
ceremonies.
The Foreign Ministry of Armenia announced that it has not received an
official invitation from Ankara to send a delegation to the Holy Cross
Church. It is hoped that if and when such an invitation is extended,
the Armenian government would reject it. Yerevan handed the Turks a
propaganda victory last year by signing the Armenia-Turkey Protocols.
Participating in the Akhtamar church services would be tantamount to
presenting the Turks an undeserved additional reward.
There are indications, however, that this time around the Armenian
government may not be as accommodating. Eduard Sharmazanov, spokesman
of Pres. Sargsyan's ruling Republican Party and Member of Parliament,
harshly criticized the planned church services, calling it a "publicity
stunt" and a "provocation" to mislead the international community.
In addition, a subcommittee of the Public Council, an advisory
body formed by Pres. Sargsyan, issued a statement, urging
Armenians to boycott the Holy Cross church services. It called
on all self-respecting Armenians to refrain from participating in
"this cheap Turkish show." Giro Manoyan, spokesman of the opposition
Armenian Revolutionary Federation in Yerevan, also advocated boycotting
the church services and criticized the Holy See of Etchmiadzin for
planning to send two clerics to Akhtamar.
A clear indication of Turkish disinterest in preserving Armenian
churches is the interrogation by the secret police of several thousand
families who have offered to host Armenian visitors in nearby city of
Van on September 19, due to shortage of hotel rooms. Turkish officials
are suspicious that host families may be forcefully Turkified or
Kurdified remnants of Armenian Genocide victims. By this appalling
action, reminiscent of Nazi Germany's Gestapo tactics, the Turkish
regime is showing its obsession to keep track of its citizens' ethnic
origin. In fact, after this racist investigation, a number of families
have been officially banned from hosting Diaspora Armenians in Van.
Armenians who naively plan to attend religious ceremonies in "a museum"
would inadvertently legitimize the confiscation of a historic Armenian
Church and promote a political show staged by Turkish authorities.
It is perfectly understandable that Turkish leaders would want
to create a positive image in order to facilitate their country's
entry into the European Union, and counter Armenian efforts for the
international recognition of the Armenian Genocide. It is far less
understandable, however, why Armenians would help advance the Turks'
anti-Armenian objectives.
Harut Sassounian
Tert.am
18.08.10
Ever since the Genocide, after nearly a century of banning Armenian
church services, the Turkish government has finally decided to allow
a one-time celebration of Mass to be held at the 10th Century Holy
Cross Church on Akhtamar Island.
Questions have been raised about the prudence of attending the Sept.
19 church services to which the Turkish government has invited
Armenians from around the world, members of the international media
and foreign Ambassadors and dignitaries. Those calling for a boycott
indicate that the true aim of the Turkish authorities is to score
propaganda points with the European Union and the United States,
by feigning tolerance towards Christians and other minorities. In
reality, successive Turkish governments have carried out a systematic
policy of eliminating all visible signs of Armenian presence throughout
Western Armenia (Eastern Turkey) for over nine decades, during which
more than 2,000 Armenian churches and monasteries have been destroyed
or converted into non-religious use. The Holy Cross Church itself
was targeted for demolition some years ago, but was saved by the
intervention of a local Turkish official.
Critics of those traveling to Akhtamar also object to the Turkish
government's classification of the historic church as a "museum,"
and holding services only once a year. After many requests and
complaints, Turkish officials have finally promised to place a cross
on the church's dome.
There is no reason for Armenians to be grateful to a country that,
after confiscating and destroying thousands of churches, is now
allowing a religious ceremony in a single church, which it classifies
as a museum. This church and thousands of others should belong to
the Armenian Patriarchate of Istanbul, and services should be held
as needed, without governmental permission or interference.
Last week, tempers flared in Armenia when the Holy See of Etchmiadzin
announced its intention to send two clergymen to the Sept. 19
ceremonies. His Holiness Catholicos Karekin II usually consults with
Armenian officials before taking decisions on matters involving foreign
countries. Since he was absent from Armenia while this announcement
was made and possibly unaware of the objections raised, His Holiness
now has the opportunity to make a final determination regarding the
sending of representatives of the Holy See to Akhtamar.
As Armenians in Turkey are not permitted to freely express their
views, Church officials and lay leaders outside Turkey should take the
initiative to condemn the Turkish exploitation of Armenian religious
ceremonies.
The Foreign Ministry of Armenia announced that it has not received an
official invitation from Ankara to send a delegation to the Holy Cross
Church. It is hoped that if and when such an invitation is extended,
the Armenian government would reject it. Yerevan handed the Turks a
propaganda victory last year by signing the Armenia-Turkey Protocols.
Participating in the Akhtamar church services would be tantamount to
presenting the Turks an undeserved additional reward.
There are indications, however, that this time around the Armenian
government may not be as accommodating. Eduard Sharmazanov, spokesman
of Pres. Sargsyan's ruling Republican Party and Member of Parliament,
harshly criticized the planned church services, calling it a "publicity
stunt" and a "provocation" to mislead the international community.
In addition, a subcommittee of the Public Council, an advisory
body formed by Pres. Sargsyan, issued a statement, urging
Armenians to boycott the Holy Cross church services. It called
on all self-respecting Armenians to refrain from participating in
"this cheap Turkish show." Giro Manoyan, spokesman of the opposition
Armenian Revolutionary Federation in Yerevan, also advocated boycotting
the church services and criticized the Holy See of Etchmiadzin for
planning to send two clerics to Akhtamar.
A clear indication of Turkish disinterest in preserving Armenian
churches is the interrogation by the secret police of several thousand
families who have offered to host Armenian visitors in nearby city of
Van on September 19, due to shortage of hotel rooms. Turkish officials
are suspicious that host families may be forcefully Turkified or
Kurdified remnants of Armenian Genocide victims. By this appalling
action, reminiscent of Nazi Germany's Gestapo tactics, the Turkish
regime is showing its obsession to keep track of its citizens' ethnic
origin. In fact, after this racist investigation, a number of families
have been officially banned from hosting Diaspora Armenians in Van.
Armenians who naively plan to attend religious ceremonies in "a museum"
would inadvertently legitimize the confiscation of a historic Armenian
Church and promote a political show staged by Turkish authorities.
It is perfectly understandable that Turkish leaders would want
to create a positive image in order to facilitate their country's
entry into the European Union, and counter Armenian efforts for the
international recognition of the Armenian Genocide. It is far less
understandable, however, why Armenians would help advance the Turks'
anti-Armenian objectives.
ONLY ARMENIAN COMMUNITY OF ISTANBUL IS ENTITLED TO
DECIDE ANYTHING ABOUT THE LITURGY ON AKHTAMAR
PanARMENIAN.Net
August 17, 2010
Visiting a church is a purely personal matter and nobody has the
right to prohibit or allow attending the liturgy on September 19 in
the Church Holy Cross on Akhtamar.
A month before September 19, when the first liturgy in 95 years is
to be offered in the Holy Cross Church on Akhtamar Island in Lake
Van, Armenian political establishment has begun an active propaganda
campaign against the presence of Armenians in the worship service. The
arguments, alas, are the same: Armenians are dancing to the Turkish
tune; they promote the positive image of Turkey, and the like.
Of course, there is some truth in such statements, but some
politiciansâ~@~Y calls to ignore the liturgy on Akhtamar are nothing
but an attempt to show themselves holier than the Pope. Of course,
you may not go to Van. You may not go to Western Armenia and may not
see what has remained of the Armenian architecture. Nevertheless,
supporters of the so-called boycott do not know exactly against what
they stand. In our view, a very important fact is to be clarified
here. Only the Armenian community of Istanbul has the right to
decide anything about Akhtamar. Only they were granted permission
to offer services in the renovated church once a year. Besides, all
matters regarding the church service, the election of the Patriarch of
Constantinople, and the return of property is decided by the Government
of Turkey and not by that of Armenia or by some public organizations
in Yerevan. In this case, excessive tension is harmful not only for
the Istanbul community, but also for the nation as a whole. Moreover,
without understanding the reasons for the postponement of the day
of worship, some, if I may say so, historians state they will go to
Van when they find it necessary. The most interesting thing is that
one can really go to Van or to Western Armenia (Eastern Anatolia) any
time before September 19. The thing is that certain politicians have
seized a good opportunity to declare themselves as â~@~\patriots who
are concerned about the fate of the Armenian heritage in Turkey.â~@~]
Representative of the subcommittee on issues of Religion, Diaspora and
International Integration of the RA Public Council, Zhasmen Asryan
submitted the subcommitteeâ~@~Ys statement on this matter, which in
particular said that an Armenian with national and religious dignity
should refrain from participating in the liturgy in the Holy Cross
Church. She also reported that in the near future the subcommittee
would submit its declaration to Head of the Public Council Vazgen
Manukyan.
Seriously speaking, visiting a church is a purely personal matter and
nobody has the right to prohibit or allow attending the liturgy on
September 19 in the Holy Cross Church on Akhtamar. Of course, Turkey
needs such steps for her positive image in the world. Any initiative
of the Government in respect of minorities pursues certain goals. What
is interesting is that after 88 years a liturgy was offered in the
Greek Monastery Sumele, which attracted more than 2000 Greek pilgrims
from all over the world. And this fact was properly treated in Greece,
though the Greeks also feel rancor towards Turkey.
So, to go or not to go to Akhtamar on 19 September is a purely personal
matter and it is incorrect, if not to say more, to play with moral
values and almost blame Turkey for authorizing the liturgy. In the
end, every state, including Turkey, does what it considers necessary
and important. Unfortunately, this is also true about the genocide
of Christian nations...
PanARMENIAN.Net
August 17, 2010
Visiting a church is a purely personal matter and nobody has the
right to prohibit or allow attending the liturgy on September 19 in
the Church Holy Cross on Akhtamar.
A month before September 19, when the first liturgy in 95 years is
to be offered in the Holy Cross Church on Akhtamar Island in Lake
Van, Armenian political establishment has begun an active propaganda
campaign against the presence of Armenians in the worship service. The
arguments, alas, are the same: Armenians are dancing to the Turkish
tune; they promote the positive image of Turkey, and the like.
Of course, there is some truth in such statements, but some
politiciansâ~@~Y calls to ignore the liturgy on Akhtamar are nothing
but an attempt to show themselves holier than the Pope. Of course,
you may not go to Van. You may not go to Western Armenia and may not
see what has remained of the Armenian architecture. Nevertheless,
supporters of the so-called boycott do not know exactly against what
they stand. In our view, a very important fact is to be clarified
here. Only the Armenian community of Istanbul has the right to
decide anything about Akhtamar. Only they were granted permission
to offer services in the renovated church once a year. Besides, all
matters regarding the church service, the election of the Patriarch of
Constantinople, and the return of property is decided by the Government
of Turkey and not by that of Armenia or by some public organizations
in Yerevan. In this case, excessive tension is harmful not only for
the Istanbul community, but also for the nation as a whole. Moreover,
without understanding the reasons for the postponement of the day
of worship, some, if I may say so, historians state they will go to
Van when they find it necessary. The most interesting thing is that
one can really go to Van or to Western Armenia (Eastern Anatolia) any
time before September 19. The thing is that certain politicians have
seized a good opportunity to declare themselves as â~@~\patriots who
are concerned about the fate of the Armenian heritage in Turkey.â~@~]
Representative of the subcommittee on issues of Religion, Diaspora and
International Integration of the RA Public Council, Zhasmen Asryan
submitted the subcommitteeâ~@~Ys statement on this matter, which in
particular said that an Armenian with national and religious dignity
should refrain from participating in the liturgy in the Holy Cross
Church. She also reported that in the near future the subcommittee
would submit its declaration to Head of the Public Council Vazgen
Manukyan.
Seriously speaking, visiting a church is a purely personal matter and
nobody has the right to prohibit or allow attending the liturgy on
September 19 in the Holy Cross Church on Akhtamar. Of course, Turkey
needs such steps for her positive image in the world. Any initiative
of the Government in respect of minorities pursues certain goals. What
is interesting is that after 88 years a liturgy was offered in the
Greek Monastery Sumele, which attracted more than 2000 Greek pilgrims
from all over the world. And this fact was properly treated in Greece,
though the Greeks also feel rancor towards Turkey.
So, to go or not to go to Akhtamar on 19 September is a purely personal
matter and it is incorrect, if not to say more, to play with moral
values and almost blame Turkey for authorizing the liturgy. In the
end, every state, including Turkey, does what it considers necessary
and important. Unfortunately, this is also true about the genocide
of Christian nations...
OPINION: IT'S NECESSARY TO PARTICIPATE IN MASS AT SURB
KHACH
Aysor
Aug 18 2010
Armenia
"I am a little concerned over opinions of those who think that we
shouldn't participated in the September 19 Mass that is to be served
at Surb Khach (St Cross) Church" in Akhtamar Ireland, [modern Turkey],
said at the news conference Director of the Center of Globalization
and Regional Cooperation, political scientist, Stepan Grigorian.
"I wonder how the Armenian side can so easily surrender what belonged
to them. I don't want to offend anyone, but this makes me think
whether the church is ours? If it is an Armenian Church, then we must
go there and participate in the Mass," stressed expert.
Turkey is definitely playing its own game but "whether Armenia has no
benefit from this," said Grigorian. "If we don't participate, and turn
to our churches, then they will become Georgian, Byzantian..." he said.
Stepan Grigorian also stressed that for long 70 years neither Armenian
Church was consecrated in Turkey, and under these circumstances the
Mass at Surb Khach Church is a great progress and it's necessary to
participate without doubt.
Aysor
Aug 18 2010
Armenia
"I am a little concerned over opinions of those who think that we
shouldn't participated in the September 19 Mass that is to be served
at Surb Khach (St Cross) Church" in Akhtamar Ireland, [modern Turkey],
said at the news conference Director of the Center of Globalization
and Regional Cooperation, political scientist, Stepan Grigorian.
"I wonder how the Armenian side can so easily surrender what belonged
to them. I don't want to offend anyone, but this makes me think
whether the church is ours? If it is an Armenian Church, then we must
go there and participate in the Mass," stressed expert.
Turkey is definitely playing its own game but "whether Armenia has no
benefit from this," said Grigorian. "If we don't participate, and turn
to our churches, then they will become Georgian, Byzantian..." he said.
Stepan Grigorian also stressed that for long 70 years neither Armenian
Church was consecrated in Turkey, and under these circumstances the
Mass at Surb Khach Church is a great progress and it's necessary to
participate without doubt.
TOUR OPERATORS GEARING UP TO TAKE ARMENIANS TO
TURKEY MASS
Hurriyet
Aug 17 2010
Turkey
Tourism operators serving diaspora Armenians, as well as members of
the community in Armenia and Istanbul, are organizing special tours
for those wishing to attend a special mass in September on Lake Van.
The sole operator to organize a tour to Van in Armenia, Ani Tour,
is planning to take their customers to the eastern province of Van
for the Sept. 19 service at Surp Hac church on Akdamar Island through
Georgia due to the closed borders between Armenia and Turkey.
The company chose to organize the tours after seeing an increase in
demand since early 2010, Ani Tour Assistant Manager Lusine Garabetyan
recently told the Hurriyet Daily News & Economic Review.
The number of participants had already reached several hundred by July,
he said.
Tour prices start from $395 and are offered as package programs.
Garabetyan said since the land borders are closed it was impossible
for the tour group to reach Turkey without first going through
Georgia. "Therefore, the travel time will take almost a day."
Istanbul Armenians to attend as well
Armenians from Istanbul will also travel to Van during the week after
Sept. 12 via tours organized by Turkey's Armenian Patriarchate.
Armenians from Armenia, on the other hand, will set off Sept. 17
from Yerevan.
Armenians going to Van by bus will return following the same route
on Sept. 22, Garabetyan said, adding that applications to join the
tours were increasing every day and that they were experiencing a
surge in demand.
Not all the Armenians hoping to join the service will visit Turkey on
a tour as a small minority will make their own way to Van via Georgia,
with their own car or by bus.
One of the prospective travelers, Levon Astoyan, said he hoped the
mass would be the beginning of a new era for both Armenia and Turkey.
Thanks to permission granted by the Culture and Tourism Ministry,
the event on Akdamar Island will be the first mass at the church in
almost 95 years.
Hurriyet
Aug 17 2010
Turkey
Tourism operators serving diaspora Armenians, as well as members of
the community in Armenia and Istanbul, are organizing special tours
for those wishing to attend a special mass in September on Lake Van.
The sole operator to organize a tour to Van in Armenia, Ani Tour,
is planning to take their customers to the eastern province of Van
for the Sept. 19 service at Surp Hac church on Akdamar Island through
Georgia due to the closed borders between Armenia and Turkey.
The company chose to organize the tours after seeing an increase in
demand since early 2010, Ani Tour Assistant Manager Lusine Garabetyan
recently told the Hurriyet Daily News & Economic Review.
The number of participants had already reached several hundred by July,
he said.
Tour prices start from $395 and are offered as package programs.
Garabetyan said since the land borders are closed it was impossible
for the tour group to reach Turkey without first going through
Georgia. "Therefore, the travel time will take almost a day."
Istanbul Armenians to attend as well
Armenians from Istanbul will also travel to Van during the week after
Sept. 12 via tours organized by Turkey's Armenian Patriarchate.
Armenians from Armenia, on the other hand, will set off Sept. 17
from Yerevan.
Armenians going to Van by bus will return following the same route
on Sept. 22, Garabetyan said, adding that applications to join the
tours were increasing every day and that they were experiencing a
surge in demand.
Not all the Armenians hoping to join the service will visit Turkey on
a tour as a small minority will make their own way to Van via Georgia,
with their own car or by bus.
One of the prospective travelers, Levon Astoyan, said he hoped the
mass would be the beginning of a new era for both Armenia and Turkey.
Thanks to permission granted by the Culture and Tourism Ministry,
the event on Akdamar Island will be the first mass at the church in
almost 95 years.
LRAGIR
TURKEY NEEDS TO PROVE ITS RIGHTNAIRA HAYRUMYAN
16:00:19 - 18/08/2010
To go or not to go to Akhtamar where on September 19 a mass will
be celebrated in St. Cross Church. Some say Turkey takes this step
to please the European Union; others try to present the issue as if
Turkey is changing and is becoming more democratic. But as soon as
we view the issue from another angle, it becomes clear that Ankara
first of all solves a physiological issue.
The question why Turkey does not recognize the genocide is still
observed on the moral plane. We do not need anything, it's important
for Turkey to recognize the genocide and apologize, many Armenians
say. But they forget that they are in various value-psychological
systems with Turkey, and what is considered a sin on one side, is
perceived as heroism on the other. Armenians cannot help thinking that
the Turks are ashamed of what happened, that they understand what sin
committed, and therefore deny the recognition. But in fact there is no
embarrassment. What Armenians call genocide, deportation, expulsion,
the Turks, proud of their history, call it a breakthrough that gave
them full authority over the new territories. They have nothing to be
ashamed - they are winners. And now they have to prove their victory
at the psychological level. That's why they "allow" ceremonies in
Armenian churches - to show who "allows". They may even be allowed
to hold services every day, if only they were asked to "allow".
If Turkey feels the necessity to prove its right to "allow", then it
has problems connected with the very right. This means that there
is some possibility to dispute this right, but not on the level of
"allowing", but in international instances. When ceremonies in
Akhtamar are held by the decision of the UN International Court,
then Armenians will have to participate in it. To go to Akhtamar
because Turkey allows means to recognize its rights.
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