By Asbarez | Sunday, 20 April 2014
DIYARBAKIR, Turkey (A.W.)—Hundreds turned out for Easter Sunday Mass at the Sourp Giragos Armenian Church in Diyarbakir (Dikranagerd) in what is now eastern Turkey.
Among the attendees were newly-elected Diyarbakir Metropolitan co-mayor Fırat Anlı and former mayor of the Diyarbakir Sur Municipality Abdullah Demirbaş.
Der Kevork Çınaryan led the Mass at the largest Armenian church in the Middle East, which was renovated and opened for service three years ago.
Last year, the Armenian Patriarchate in Istanbul had come under harsh criticism for not sending a member of the clergy to lead Easter Mass at Sourp Giragos.
Kenan Sarraf, a member of the Sourp Giragis Foundation, told the Weekly that he was gratified to witness close to 1,500 people attend the Easter celebration at the church.
An Armenian girl, Amber Kaz, whose mother hails from Sassoun, was baptized after Easter Mass. Her family currently lives in Istanbul but wanted to see Amber Kaz baptized at Sourp Giragos.
An exhibition, titled “Bearing Witness to the Lost History of an Armenian Family Through the Lens of the Dildilian Brothers (1872-1923),” opened after the Easter Mass.
This report was filed by the Armenian Weekly Diyarbakir correspondent Gulisor Akkum.
comments
OPED: The Beginning of a New Struggle
Already Scarce Bread to be Rationed in Artsakh Due to Blockade
Artsakh Political Factions Agree On New President
Pashinyan Warns International Community of New Azerbaijani Attacks Against Armenia, Artsakh
Artsakh Students, Kidnapped by Azerbaijan, Released into Armenian Custody
Artsakh Says Azerbaijan’s Demands Further Complicate Situation
Bread Shortage Worsens In Artsakh
Azerbaijan Abducts and Arrests 3 Young Artsakh Residents
International Community Must Realize Lachin Corridor Opening Will Prevent Genocide, Pashinyan Says