Minister of Culture and Tourism, Ertugrul Gunay told during an interview to Atlas magazine that Armenian Church in Akdamar Island will be allowed to place a croos atop the dome. It is reported that this is the fist time such an important church will be allowed to put a cross in the history of Turkish Republic.
Stating that Committee of Cultural Monuments and Nature Conservation in Van decided to allow Surp Hach Church in Akdamar Island to place a cross atop its dome, Ertugrul Gunay said, "The news is so fresh and therefore we did not have the chance to share it with the public. The committee made the decision. Governor of Van, Munir Karaloglu asked me to announce the news but I departed for Greece then. I told it to the Greek press. Following the scientific investigations related to the shape of the cross, it will be placed atop of the dome before the religious ceremony which will be held in September."
Head of Synod of Turkish Armenians, Primate Aram Ateshyan, stated that they did not receive any official information about the issue and said, "However, permission for placing a cross atop the church would please us".
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