sixteen-century Armenian Church in Diyarbakir Province, southeast Turkey, was severely affected by the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) terrorists in 2015 officially reopened on Saturday after intense governmentFunded restoration.
pointing out that’s everyone”shares Excitement” of The Armenian Church of Sorp Geragos has been renovated in Diyarbakir, Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy said at the opening ceremony that the services will be done start on Sunday, May 8, “on this structure that was targeted of Terror, it will reopen for Worship.”
Historic Church in Sur district of Diyarbakir was affected by the terrorist attacks of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party in 2015 and restored with Funds provided by the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change in coordination of Directorate General of Turkey of establish.
Different cultures and beliefs live together or together in Peace and worship freely in Diyarbakir, which is home Ersoy told many priceless buildings, including the Armenian Sorp Giragos churches and the Chaldean Mar Petion churches.
“Unfortunately, these two structures, which are important treasures of Our cultural heritage has been targeted and destroyed by terrorist groups who wanted to cast a shadow over Peace and quiet of The city in In recent years, he explained.
‘We believe that places of worship everyone over Anatolia are signs of Respect and fellowship between us. “
Code of good Relations between Armenians, Turks and Kurds
The church is the largest Armenian Gregorian church in The Middle East, not only citizens know it of The city But also All over the world, Ersoy said, adding that the restoration of The Armenian Church of Sorb Giragos and the Chaldean Churches of Mar Petion cost About 32 million Turkish liras ($2.14 million)
Sahak Mashalian, Patriarch of Armenians called the Turks opening of The Church is the lifeblood for Christian Diyarbakir populationthat was on The decline.
It contains an important and meaningful message of friendship for Armenian world in terms of The development of Turkish-Armenian Relations.
“There is a lot bright and positive events Experience must be emphasized in The Millennium-The Ancient Turkish-Armenian Relations We Believe In should is highlighted with bridges of The friendship that must be established in The future. “
“We have to see this church that has been opened for Worship as a memorial of good Neighborhood relations between Armenians, Turks, Kurds, Christians and Muslims added.
Turkey has a large Armenian minority population, and normalization talks began earlier this year year between Turkey and neighboring Armenia.
Irgun Ike, head of Armenian Church of Sorp Geragos Foundation group a job for The renovation of This church is under the leadership of Diyarbakir Province and with The support of Directorate General of establish.
It is reported that the restoration work has been completed with delicate and meticulous workAyik addedWe hope to keep this church forever with The support of us community, governmental and regional actors”.
after seven-year A gap in the church bell Rituals of blessing were performed, candles were lit and prayers were performed.
