Church figures unite for historic Turkish service

Photo: aa.com.tr

VAN. -Preparations are continuing for a special religious service to be held in eastern Turkey on Sunday which will see senior figures from Greek, Armenian and Syrian Orthodox churches attend together for the first time.

The 10th-century Akdamar Church in Van province will see Vicar of the Armenian Orthodox Church Aram Atesyan, Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople Bartholomew I, Patriarchal Vicar of the Syrian Orthodox Church Yusuf Cetin and Diocese of the Armenian Church of America Archbishop Khajag Barsamian attend the historic service.


The Mass is performed once a year.
"Tomorrow will be a historic day. This is the first time that the Greek Patriarchate, the Armenian Patriarchate, the Syrian Patriarchal Vicar and other religious leaders will attend the ceremony at the same time," Aram Atesyan told Anadolu Agency in Van. 

"We will pray for peace and unity in Turkey and the world during the Mass," he added.
Akdamar is an ancient Armenian church located on Akdamar Island in Lake Van.

The church held its first Mass for 95 years in 2010 after it was restored by the Turkish government. 
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6/9/14