Armenian Church damaged by PKK celebrates Easter after restoration
Date
4/10/2023 8:27:34 AM
(MENAFN) The Surp Giragos Armenian Church, a 16th-century church in the southeastern city of Diyarbakir in Türkiye, celebrated the Christian Easter holiday this weekend. The church had been damaged by the terrorist group PKK and had been in ruins for many years. However, it was restored and reopened for worship in 2022, and this year's Easter ceremony marked the first celebration in eight years.
Religious officials appointed by the Turkish Armenian Patriarchate led the ceremony, which included hymns, prayers, and the lighting of candles. Attendees were offered buns and painted eggs for Easter.
Ergun Ayik, head of the Surp Giragos Armenian Church Foundation, emphasized the significance of the restoration and reopening of the church, stating that it not only shows the presence of the Armenian community in the city but also holds great significance for the city as a whole. He added that they used to only celebrate Easter in Istanbul, making this year's celebration in Diyarbakir all the more special.
Ohannes Gafur Ohanyan, vice head of the foundation, recalled the damage caused to the church in 2015 and expressed his excitement and happiness that the first Easter celebration in eight years was taking place. The restoration and reopening of the church signify a positive step towards promoting cultural diversity and religious freedom in Türkiye.
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