On Sunday, September 6, a Mass was held for the 14th time this year at the Church of the Holy Cross (Surp Haç), located on Akhtamar Island in Lake Van. Sahak Maşalyan, the Armenian Patriarch of Turkey, and his delegation, who had arrived in Van on September 4, visited Van Governor Ozan Balcı the following day. Archbishop Harutyun Damadyan and Vice Patriarch Father Krikor Damadyan also took part in the visit. Patriarch Maşalyan thanked Governor Balcı for the sensitivity and attention shown toward the occasion.
Patriarch Maşalyan presided over the Mass held on Sunday, September 6. The service was led by Bishop Mesrob Barsamyan, Spiritual Leader of the Eastern United States Diocese. Archbishop Harutyun Damadyan, Father Armaş Bağdasaryan, and Father Natan Arabyan were also present. The hymns were performed by the Armaş Choir under the direction of Edvin Galipyan.
There was a large turnout from Istanbul, Armenia, and the diaspora. In his sermon during the Mass, Patriarch Maşalyan spoke about the significance of the Holy Cross. Following the sermon, King Gagik Ardzruni, who built the church, was commemorated with prayers. Patriarch Maşalyan and the clergy then proceeded outside the church in a procession and offered prayers.
Following the Mass, Patriarch Maşalyan spoke to members of the press. Drawing attention to the importance of improving Turkey-Armenia relations, Patriarch Maşalyan said:
“Thank God, we had many pilgrims this year as well. They came from all over the world—from America, Europe, Armenia, Iran… This interest makes us very happy. We extend our endless thanks to our Minister of Culture and Tourism, Mr. Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, and to our Governor, Mr. Ozan Balcı. We came, we were honored, and now we are returning. May there be peace and well-being. The improvement of relations between Turkey and Armenia, and brotherhood among their peoples—these are the heartfelt wishes of everyone living in this country. We too raised these wishes to Almighty God in our prayers and during our Mass.
“We prayed for peace in the world and brotherhood among humanity. One special prayer in our hearts was for the improvement of Turkey-Armenia relations. Because the peoples living on these lands deserve peace. We ask God for His mercy. May this peace come to these lands and to these peoples. May this world, together, become a beautiful table that God has set before us.”
In Van for the first time
Among those attending the Mass was Cana Kucyan, who lives in Florida of the United States. Speaking to the ANKA News Agency, Kucyan said that it was her first time in Van and that she was pleased to be in the city.
Rita Vardanyan, who lives in Armenia, said that this was her fourth time attending the Mass on Akhtamar Island and that the service there held a special meaning for her. In her remarks, Vardanyan emphasized peace and brotherhood.
“Peace and brotherhood are very beautiful things. Because there is one God. We do not discriminate. Whether it is a mosque or a church, we respect all religions. I do not want discrimination. I want brotherhood more than anything. Because we truly do not want fighting, conflict, or war. It is not a pleasant thing. God created all of us. And it would be better if we all recognized that we are brothers and sisters. I recommend this to everyone.”
Restoration work on the church was initiated by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism in 2005. After the work was completed, the church was opened to visitors in 2007 as a memorial museum during an international ceremony.
The historic church, which is opened for worship once a year with special permission from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, held its first Mass on September 19, 2010, after a 95-year pause.
The Feast of the Holy Cross will be celebrated by the Armenian Church on September 13. Masses at Akhtamar are traditionally held one week earlier.
