People may worship once a year
The Surp Khach Church, also known as the Cathedral Church of the Holy Cross, on Akdamar Island in Lake Van will be opened for worship once a year following the completion of last year's renovations, reports Hürriyet Daily News.
The Ministry of Culture and Tourism said a cross would also be placed atop the church, as it had appeared formerly. The Sümela Monastery in Trabzon will also be opened for prayer once a year.
Last year, a group of 500 tourists from Greece, among them Thessaloniki Mayor Panayotis Psomyadis and Russian Deputy Ivan Savidis, wanted to light candles at the monastery but were interrupted by Nilgün Yılmazer, Museum Director of Trabzon.
After this incident, Culture Minister Ertuğrul Günay said, "We are respectful toward all beliefs," and introduced the necessary legal changes, the preparations of which are in their final stages.
