The Games Turkey plays with Akhtamar Church
'CROSS CRISIS' BETWEEN TURKEY, ARMENIA ESCALATES
Hurriyet
Sept 14 2010
Turkey
Tours are being canceled one after another due to the 'cross' crisis
between Turkey and Armenia. A cross has yet to be remounted atop the
Surp Hac Church in Turkey's eastern province of Van, but officials
say they have launched work to place a cross on the church's dome
The cross is brought to the Surp Hac Church on Akdamar Island. Reports
say the delay in placing the cross cause Armenians cancel their trips
to the church.
Hurriyet
Sept 14 2010
Turkey
Tours are being canceled one after another due to the 'cross' crisis
between Turkey and Armenia. A cross has yet to be remounted atop the
Surp Hac Church in Turkey's eastern province of Van, but officials
say they have launched work to place a cross on the church's dome
The cross is brought to the Surp Hac Church on Akdamar Island. Reports
say the delay in placing the cross cause Armenians cancel their trips
to the church.
Tour trips to the province of Van organized by the Armenian diaspora
and Armenia for this week are being canceled one after another due to
a delay in placing a cross atop the Surp Hac Church ahead of Sunday's
long-anticipated liturgy.
Work to place a cross on the dome, however, started early Tuesday,
officials said. Culture and Tourism Minister Ertugrul Gunay said in
a statement to the Hurriyet Daily News & Economic Review two weeks
ago that during the Divine Liturgy on Sunday the cross would be on
the dome. Gunay said the placing of the cross was delayed so the
ruling Justice and Development Party, or AKP, would not be the target
of criticism ahead of the Sept. 12 referendum on a constitutional
amendments package.
The crisis comes after disappointing governmental initiatives including
the Kurdish initiative, which has stalled after initially high hopes,
and the Turkish-Armenian dialogue that was launched with football
diplomacy in 2008, which came to a halt after the AKP found itself
in a difficult political position.
Lack of cross reason for cancellations
Earlier this year tour operators in Armenia started accepting
reservations for the service to be held in the church and the number
of reservations increased into the thousands in the spring.
Itineraries included bus tours starting Sept. 13 from Armenia to
Turkey via Georgia. Armenian tourists were to visit Armenian cultural
heritage sites in Turkey's eastern provinces during a weeklong tour.
The Armenian Apostolic Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin announced,
however, it would not send two members of the priesthood as
representatives to the Divine Liturgy as planned. Another key center
of the Armenian Apostolic Church, the Jerusalem Patriarchate, has
protested the event from the beginning.
"Turkey is being political about the cross. If it is to be mounted,
why did they wait so long? This is disrespect to us and our religion,"
said Narekavank Tour Manager Ashot Soghomonian from Yerevan in a
phone interview.
"Etchmiadzin is boycotting the mass, so how could we forget everything
and attend the ceremony?" said Ani Tour owner Volodya Anushian. "We
decided to cancel our reservations because we have self-respect. No
one has pressured us to cancel them. "Why have they waited for so long?
"This could've been a chance to resume Turkish-Armenian dialogue, but
we have lost it," Arushanyan said. "Not only Armenians in Armenia and
in the diaspora, but also Armenians in Istanbul should boycott this."
Over 50,000 tourists were expected from around the world, with some 500
coming via Narekavank and Ani tour operators. The price of Narekavank's
weeklong tour was $450-$500. Ani Tour offered a five-day package at
$395. Both operators are preparing to reimburse their customers.
The Surp Hac Church is one of the best examples of Armenian cultural
heritage in Anatolia. The church was restored by the Turkish state in
2007 and turned into a museum. Armenian experts restored the structure
in accordance with the original. Although construction work has been
completed, the cross has not been mounted yet.
and Armenia for this week are being canceled one after another due to
a delay in placing a cross atop the Surp Hac Church ahead of Sunday's
long-anticipated liturgy.
Work to place a cross on the dome, however, started early Tuesday,
officials said. Culture and Tourism Minister Ertugrul Gunay said in
a statement to the Hurriyet Daily News & Economic Review two weeks
ago that during the Divine Liturgy on Sunday the cross would be on
the dome. Gunay said the placing of the cross was delayed so the
ruling Justice and Development Party, or AKP, would not be the target
of criticism ahead of the Sept. 12 referendum on a constitutional
amendments package.
The crisis comes after disappointing governmental initiatives including
the Kurdish initiative, which has stalled after initially high hopes,
and the Turkish-Armenian dialogue that was launched with football
diplomacy in 2008, which came to a halt after the AKP found itself
in a difficult political position.
Lack of cross reason for cancellations
Earlier this year tour operators in Armenia started accepting
reservations for the service to be held in the church and the number
of reservations increased into the thousands in the spring.
Itineraries included bus tours starting Sept. 13 from Armenia to
Turkey via Georgia. Armenian tourists were to visit Armenian cultural
heritage sites in Turkey's eastern provinces during a weeklong tour.
The Armenian Apostolic Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin announced,
however, it would not send two members of the priesthood as
representatives to the Divine Liturgy as planned. Another key center
of the Armenian Apostolic Church, the Jerusalem Patriarchate, has
protested the event from the beginning.
"Turkey is being political about the cross. If it is to be mounted,
why did they wait so long? This is disrespect to us and our religion,"
said Narekavank Tour Manager Ashot Soghomonian from Yerevan in a
phone interview.
"Etchmiadzin is boycotting the mass, so how could we forget everything
and attend the ceremony?" said Ani Tour owner Volodya Anushian. "We
decided to cancel our reservations because we have self-respect. No
one has pressured us to cancel them. "Why have they waited for so long?
"This could've been a chance to resume Turkish-Armenian dialogue, but
we have lost it," Arushanyan said. "Not only Armenians in Armenia and
in the diaspora, but also Armenians in Istanbul should boycott this."
Over 50,000 tourists were expected from around the world, with some 500
coming via Narekavank and Ani tour operators. The price of Narekavank's
weeklong tour was $450-$500. Ani Tour offered a five-day package at
$395. Both operators are preparing to reimburse their customers.
The Surp Hac Church is one of the best examples of Armenian cultural
heritage in Anatolia. The church was restored by the Turkish state in
2007 and turned into a museum. Armenian experts restored the structure
in accordance with the original. Although construction work has been
completed, the cross has not been mounted yet.
CROSS TO BE PLACED IN FRONT OF HOLY CROSS CHURCH,
NOT ON THE DOME
PanARMENIAN.Net
September 14, 2010 - 17:54 AMT 12:54 GMT
The cross meant to be installed on the dome of Holy Cross church was
brought to Akhtamar island on September 14 for the representatives
of the Constantinople Patriarchate to place it wherever they wish in
the churchyard.
"We have received permission from the Turkish Ministry of Culture and
Tourism and transported the cross to the island. But it's impossible
to install in on the dome of the church due to some technical reasons,"
Hurriyet quoted a Turkish official as saying.
CONSTANTINOPLE PATRIARCHATE DECLINES TURKISH
PanARMENIAN.Net
September 14, 2010 - 17:54 AMT 12:54 GMT
The cross meant to be installed on the dome of Holy Cross church was
brought to Akhtamar island on September 14 for the representatives
of the Constantinople Patriarchate to place it wherever they wish in
the churchyard.
"We have received permission from the Turkish Ministry of Culture and
Tourism and transported the cross to the island. But it's impossible
to install in on the dome of the church due to some technical reasons,"
Hurriyet quoted a Turkish official as saying.
CONSTANTINOPLE PATRIARCHATE DECLINES TURKISH
BUSINESSMEN'S OFFER
news.am
Sept 14 2010
Armenia
The Constantinople Patriarchate of the Armenian Apostolic Church
declined Turkish businessmen's offer to install a wooden cross on
the dome of Surb Khach church on Akhtamar Island.
A source in the Van business community informed NEWS.am that on
September 14 the businessmen applied to the Patriarchate and proposed
the installation of a wooden cross as a metal one cannot be installed
for lack of time. The Turkish businessmen interested in a liturgy on
Akhtamar Island said a wooden cross would serve as a symbol before
a metal one was installed.
The Patriarchate, however, stated it is unacceptable.
NEWS.am tried to verify the information. The priest Tatul said that
he has no information on the businessmen's offer. As to whether the
Patriarchate is not informed of the proposal, he said: "Even if such
a proposal were made, it is unacceptable to us, as a wooden cross will
not be permanent because of weather. A metal cross must be installed,
which is practiced. What does it mean - installing a wooden cross
and then removing it and installing a metal one?" He announced his
information to go to Van at once.
Turkish businessmen promised to do their best for a cross to be
installed on Surb Khach church before the September 19 liturgy.
It is noteworthy that, the cross lacking, the three spiritual centers
of the Armenian people, the Holy See of Echmiadzin, Great House of
Cilicia and Jerusalem Patriarchate will not take part in the liturgy.
news.am
Sept 14 2010
Armenia
The Constantinople Patriarchate of the Armenian Apostolic Church
declined Turkish businessmen's offer to install a wooden cross on
the dome of Surb Khach church on Akhtamar Island.
A source in the Van business community informed NEWS.am that on
September 14 the businessmen applied to the Patriarchate and proposed
the installation of a wooden cross as a metal one cannot be installed
for lack of time. The Turkish businessmen interested in a liturgy on
Akhtamar Island said a wooden cross would serve as a symbol before
a metal one was installed.
The Patriarchate, however, stated it is unacceptable.
NEWS.am tried to verify the information. The priest Tatul said that
he has no information on the businessmen's offer. As to whether the
Patriarchate is not informed of the proposal, he said: "Even if such
a proposal were made, it is unacceptable to us, as a wooden cross will
not be permanent because of weather. A metal cross must be installed,
which is practiced. What does it mean - installing a wooden cross
and then removing it and installing a metal one?" He announced his
information to go to Van at once.
Turkish businessmen promised to do their best for a cross to be
installed on Surb Khach church before the September 19 liturgy.
It is noteworthy that, the cross lacking, the three spiritual centers
of the Armenian people, the Holy See of Echmiadzin, Great House of
Cilicia and Jerusalem Patriarchate will not take part in the liturgy.
CROSS OF SURB KHACH CHURCH DELIVERED TO AKHTAMAR
ISLAND
news.am
Sept 14 2010
Armenia
On September 14, the cross of Surb Khach Church was brought to Akhtamar
Island from the Van Museum. Van Deputy Governor Aray Uslu himself
participated in the transportation of the cross, Turkish Hurriyet
daily reports
According to a local official, the Armenian clergymen in Istanbul
will arrive in Van in two days and place the cross wherever they want.
"Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism allowed the cross to be
installed on the church. However, it is impossible to install the
cross on the dome for technical reasons," he said.
The 2.5 meters high and 1.3 meters wide 100-kg cross will be guarded
by security officers.
Interestingly, Van businessmen promised to have the cross installed
on the dome of the church before the September 19 liturgy.
news.am
Sept 14 2010
Armenia
On September 14, the cross of Surb Khach Church was brought to Akhtamar
Island from the Van Museum. Van Deputy Governor Aray Uslu himself
participated in the transportation of the cross, Turkish Hurriyet
daily reports
According to a local official, the Armenian clergymen in Istanbul
will arrive in Van in two days and place the cross wherever they want.
"Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism allowed the cross to be
installed on the church. However, it is impossible to install the
cross on the dome for technical reasons," he said.
The 2.5 meters high and 1.3 meters wide 100-kg cross will be guarded
by security officers.
Interestingly, Van businessmen promised to have the cross installed
on the dome of the church before the September 19 liturgy.
WILL ARMENIAN TOURISTS ATTEND SURB KHACH LITURGY?
Heghine Manukyan
news.am
Sept 13 2010
Armenia
The Turkish authorities' refusal to install a cross on the dome of
Surb Khach (Holy Cross) church on Akhtamar Island during the liturgy
scheduled for September 19 proved to be a cold shower for Armenian
believers. Many of them had decided to take a chance to attend the
historic event, but were disappointed. Many Armenian public figures
called for boycotting the "Turkish authorities' show" and preventing
"the making of our spiritual identity a laughing stock." Armenian
lobbyist organizations are active as well, trying to dissuade Armenians
from attending the "show."
NEWS.am undertook an enquiry into the matter. After calling a number
of travel agencies providing travel package tours of western Armenia,
we found out that, for some reasons, some of them stopped organizing
tours of Van and other cities of western Armenia. One of the reasons
is the situation surrounding Surb Khach cross. The director of one
of the travel agencies told NEWS.am that he "cancelled the tours on
principle. Patriotic, national and spiritual motives are more important
for me than business profit. We must give Turks an adequate response
by ignoring their events even if they have to do with our cultural
heritage." It should be noted that some Armenian travel agencies
stopped providing tours of Turkey before the holiday season.
On the other hand, other travel agencies go on organizing tours of
Van. However, they are afraid they cannot gather as many holiday
makers as they need for tours. Some said they had organized tours
before the liturgy. Later, however, they canceled the tours without
any explanations.
Some travel agencies organize 4-5-day tours for those wishing to
attend the liturgy at any cost. The prices are U.S. $420 to $450. The
Ararat-Tour agency offers a 4-day tour of western Armenia. The package
includes visits to several towns. The last day the tourist will
visit Akhtamar Island and attend the liturgy. The agency reported
that an 8-member group is planned to go to Turkey, but only three
applications have so far been received. The agency employee could
not say if the tours might be cancelled because of the insufficient
number of prospective holiday-makers.
The Armane and Sidon Travel agencies too afford tourists the
opportunity to attend the liturgy in Surb Khach church. The Armane
agency received four applications, whereas Sidon Travel has sold 30
tickets. The agency plans to send about 60 tourists to Turkey for
them to attend the liturgy. Will it realize its plans?
P.S. The number of Armenian tourists to attend the liturgy in Surb
Khach church is difficult to forecast. Rough estimates based on the
travel agencies' information show 300 to 400 tourists will attend. We
must admit it is a most decent figure for such a hyped-up event. But
what if a cross had been installed on the dome of the church, and
Armenia and Turkey had established diplomatic relations? It is clear
that Turkey's refusal to install a cross sharply diminished, or even
minimized, the importance of the event. And if the arguments that the
Turkish authorities did not install the cross in order to push the
draft constitutional reforms through prove true, the cross is likely
to be installed after the referendum, as September 19 draws near.
It is noteworthy that the three spiritual centers of the Armenian
people, the Holy See of Echmiadzin, Great House of Cilicia and
Jerusalem Patriarchate will not take part in the liturgy. This fact
too diminishes the importance of the event.
Heghine Manukyan
news.am
Sept 13 2010
Armenia
The Turkish authorities' refusal to install a cross on the dome of
Surb Khach (Holy Cross) church on Akhtamar Island during the liturgy
scheduled for September 19 proved to be a cold shower for Armenian
believers. Many of them had decided to take a chance to attend the
historic event, but were disappointed. Many Armenian public figures
called for boycotting the "Turkish authorities' show" and preventing
"the making of our spiritual identity a laughing stock." Armenian
lobbyist organizations are active as well, trying to dissuade Armenians
from attending the "show."
NEWS.am undertook an enquiry into the matter. After calling a number
of travel agencies providing travel package tours of western Armenia,
we found out that, for some reasons, some of them stopped organizing
tours of Van and other cities of western Armenia. One of the reasons
is the situation surrounding Surb Khach cross. The director of one
of the travel agencies told NEWS.am that he "cancelled the tours on
principle. Patriotic, national and spiritual motives are more important
for me than business profit. We must give Turks an adequate response
by ignoring their events even if they have to do with our cultural
heritage." It should be noted that some Armenian travel agencies
stopped providing tours of Turkey before the holiday season.
On the other hand, other travel agencies go on organizing tours of
Van. However, they are afraid they cannot gather as many holiday
makers as they need for tours. Some said they had organized tours
before the liturgy. Later, however, they canceled the tours without
any explanations.
Some travel agencies organize 4-5-day tours for those wishing to
attend the liturgy at any cost. The prices are U.S. $420 to $450. The
Ararat-Tour agency offers a 4-day tour of western Armenia. The package
includes visits to several towns. The last day the tourist will
visit Akhtamar Island and attend the liturgy. The agency reported
that an 8-member group is planned to go to Turkey, but only three
applications have so far been received. The agency employee could
not say if the tours might be cancelled because of the insufficient
number of prospective holiday-makers.
The Armane and Sidon Travel agencies too afford tourists the
opportunity to attend the liturgy in Surb Khach church. The Armane
agency received four applications, whereas Sidon Travel has sold 30
tickets. The agency plans to send about 60 tourists to Turkey for
them to attend the liturgy. Will it realize its plans?
P.S. The number of Armenian tourists to attend the liturgy in Surb
Khach church is difficult to forecast. Rough estimates based on the
travel agencies' information show 300 to 400 tourists will attend. We
must admit it is a most decent figure for such a hyped-up event. But
what if a cross had been installed on the dome of the church, and
Armenia and Turkey had established diplomatic relations? It is clear
that Turkey's refusal to install a cross sharply diminished, or even
minimized, the importance of the event. And if the arguments that the
Turkish authorities did not install the cross in order to push the
draft constitutional reforms through prove true, the cross is likely
to be installed after the referendum, as September 19 draws near.
It is noteworthy that the three spiritual centers of the Armenian
people, the Holy See of Echmiadzin, Great House of Cilicia and
Jerusalem Patriarchate will not take part in the liturgy. This fact
too diminishes the importance of the event.
RFE/RL Report
Armenian Ministry Not Invited To Landmark Mass In Turkey 15.09.2010
Irina Hovannisian
The Armenian Ministry of Culture said on Wednesday that the Turkish
government has not invited it to send a delegation to this week's
landmark liturgy at a medieval Armenian cathedral in southeastern
Turkey.
`I want to stress that we have received no invitations and will
therefore not be going there,' Deputy Culture Minister Arev Musayelian
told RFE/RL's Armenian service.
The 10th century church of Surp Khach (Holy Cross) nestled on the
Akhtamar island in Lake Van on will see its first mass in nearly a
century three years after undergoing a $1.5 million renovation funded by
the Turkish government. It will be led by Archbishop Aram Ateshian, the
spiritual leader of Turkey's surviving Armenian community.
The Turkish government hoped to attract hundreds of dignitaries and
ordinary people from Armenia and its worldwide Diaspora to an event
meant to showcase its stated goodwill towards the Armenians. However,
its apparent reluctance to restore a cross on the church's dome in time
for the September 19 liturgy has all but scuttled those plans.
Travel agencies in Yerevan last week cancelled plans to transport
several hundred pilgrims to Akhtamar following a boycott announced by
the Armenia-based leadership of the Armenian Apostolic Church.
Musayelian could not say whether her ministry would join the boycott if
it was invited by Ankara. She said the `political decision' would be
made by the Armenian presidential administration and the Foreign
Ministry.
The Turkish government has instead invited a number of prominent
Armenian public figures and pundits to the mass. Written invitations
sent to them by the Directorate General of Press and Information at
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's office refer to an `international
visiting program covering Istanbul and Van, between September 17-22,
2010.'
`All the expenditures including flight, accommodation and sustenance
will be covered by our Directorate General as a courtesy,' read the
letters.
Karen Bekarian, head of the Yerevan-based European Integration
non-governmental organization, was one of their recipients. Speaking to
RFE/RL, Bekarian said he will turn down the invitation. `The moment it
was announced that the cross will not be placed on the church, the issue
was closed for me,' he said.
`There is a danger that the show will not take place. So they are making
a last-minute attempt to salvage it,' charged Bekarian.
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