A Sixteenth-century Armenian church in southeastern Türkiye celebrated the Christian Easter vacation this weekend eight years after struggling injury by the terrorist group PKK.
A ceremony celebrating Easter was held on Sunday on the Surp Giragos Armenian Church in Diyarbakir’s Sur district. After taking injury from the terrorist PKK, it was restored and reopened in 2022.
Religious officers appointed by the Turkish Armenian Patriarchate led the ceremony, which included hymns, prayers, and the lighting of candles.
People who attended the ceremony have been provided buns and painted eggs for Easter.
Ergun Ayik, head of the Surp Giragos Armenian Church Foundation, advised Anadolu that for a few years the church had been in ruins however after restoration it was reopened for worship.
“The restoration and reopening of such a church, which show the presence of the Armenian community in the city, holds great significance not only for the Armenian community but also for the city,” Ayik pressured
Ayik added that they used to solely have a good time Easter in Istanbul, “so having it here after eight years brings us joy.”
Ohannes Gafur Ohanyan, vice head of the muse, recalled how church was broken in 2015. “We opened the church last year. It gives us a different excitement and happiness that we are celebrating the first Easter in eight years.”
“Today, there are not only Armenians here, we have friends from all faith groups. We celebrate our holiday together in fellowship. We’re also very happy about it,” Ohanyan added.
Built within the Sixteenth century, Surp Giragos is the most important Armenian church within the Middle East and is unfold out over 3,000 sq. meters (about 32,300 toes).
This 12 months, quite a lot of essential holidays of the Abrahamic religions-the Jewish vacation of Passover, Christians’ Easter, and Muslim Ramadan-are all celebrated in April.
In its greater than 35-year terror marketing campaign towards Türkiye, the PKK — listed as a terrorist group by Türkiye, the US, and EU — has been liable for the deaths of greater than 40,000 individuals, together with girls, youngsters, and infants.
Source: www.anews.com.tr
