Turkey restores Armenian church

Turkey has renovated a 1,100-year-old church in the east of country, in what is seen as a gesture to improve ties with neighbouring Armenia.

The ceremony on Akdamar island on Lake Van was attended by senior Armenian officials, despite the two countries' lack of diplomatic ties. . .

About 70,000 Armenians live in Turkey today. The church will now be a museum.

It will not function as a church, though there is pressure from Armenians both inside and outside Turkey for worship to be permitted there.

The Church of Surp Khach - or Holy Cross - is one of the finest surviving monuments of Armenian culture in the region.

It had long been left empty and neglected, its intricate wall carvings depicting biblical scenes crumbling.

From the BBC.

Posted by David on March 29, 2007 10:35 AM