22 02 2007 - Opening of Saint Cross Church in Akhtamar to take place April 14

armeniadiaspora.com

Feb. 21, 2007 /PanARMENIAN.Net/ Reconstruction of Saint Cross on Akhtamar island is of political and economic importance, Samvel Karapetian, historian and chairman of Era NGO said in Yerevan. The opening ceremony of the church will take place April 14, 2007.
"Saint Cross is a church that Turks did not dare to demolish event at the times of mass destruction of churches at the territory of Western Armenia. Thanks to its world fame the church was saved from vandalism. Now it's being reconstructed. More and more tourists are coming to see it and this has a positive impact on the local economy," he said. The Armenian historian considers that heads of province administrations come to understand what a great mistake their grandfathers had committed by demolishing ancient monasteries and churches, since now these sights could attract tourists. Karapetian underscored that "it's the fault of Armenians who lost their importance and thus allowed Turks thinking of economic profit form reconstructing Armenian monuments."
"It would be a miracle if an Armenian nameboard would be fastened next to the Turkish and English ones," Karapetian said adding Turks will never do that, reports IA Regnum.
The Saint Cross Church was built in 915-921 by architect Manvel under the rule of King Gagik Artsruni. The reconstruction was started in May 2005 and finished August 30, 2006.

Related on ADC
UNDP and Izmirlian Foundation Sign Cooperation Agreement To Boost Rural Communities Developments
Armenians Mourn Slain Istanbul Editor
Armenia Fund Telethon: Unprecedented $13.7 Million Pledged. Telethon 2006 Marks All Time High, Breaks Records
45,000 Armenians Expected To Spend Summer Vacations In Ajaria
Forty Days of Musa Dagh Struggle To Be Celebrated in Fresno
Dilijan Resort To Offer New Hotels For Holiday-Makers
Armenian Students Stage Protest Demonstration In Germany
Aide To Dm Denounces Aliyev's Call To Distort History
NKR Head Called Armenians of World to Participate in TV Marathon for Collection of Funds for Karabakh
Kislovodsk Marks 1600th Anniversary of Armenian Script
1600th Anniversary of Armenian Letters Creation Celebrated in Pyatigorsk
Armenian Cross-Stone Set Up In Elblag, Poland

V.V