Armenian children forbidden
to pray in Surb Khach church
August 20, 2010 11:58
The Turkish authorities are getting ready to the September 19 reopening of Surb Khach church on Akhtamar Island presenting it as a gesture of goodwill.
Simultaneously, Turkish policemen do not allow the Armenian children to pray in the church.
A group of Armenian children, the winners of Hay Aspet (Armenian knight) TV contest retuned from Turkey being upset and offended. Turkish policemen did not allow them to pray in Surb Khach church.
Talking to NEWS.am, founder and presenter of Hay Aspet show Karin Tonoyan said that they were forbidden to light candles.
“When we were in Surb Khach we wanted to light candles but policeman said that it is forbidden, as “it is a museum and the walls will be stained.” I told children to stand in the center not to stain walls. Children started singing and praying, but suddenly a policeman came and told us to leave the church,” Karin Tonoyan said.
She also noted that children left the church and continued singing in front of it, adding that the actions of Turkish policeman were offensive to them.
The Turkish policemen also did not allow to burn incense at the khachkars and gravestones near Surb Khach church.
“Children tried to burn incense near one of the khachkars but a Turkish policeman came up and stepped on it,” Tonoyan said.
News from Armenia - NEWS.am
The Turkish authorities are getting ready to the September 19 reopening of Surb Khach church on Akhtamar Island presenting it as a gesture of goodwill.
Simultaneously, Turkish policemen do not allow the Armenian children to pray in the church.
A group of Armenian children, the winners of Hay Aspet (Armenian knight) TV contest retuned from Turkey being upset and offended. Turkish policemen did not allow them to pray in Surb Khach church.
Talking to NEWS.am, founder and presenter of Hay Aspet show Karin Tonoyan said that they were forbidden to light candles.
“When we were in Surb Khach we wanted to light candles but policeman said that it is forbidden, as “it is a museum and the walls will be stained.” I told children to stand in the center not to stain walls. Children started singing and praying, but suddenly a policeman came and told us to leave the church,” Karin Tonoyan said.
She also noted that children left the church and continued singing in front of it, adding that the actions of Turkish policeman were offensive to them.
The Turkish policemen also did not allow to burn incense at the khachkars and gravestones near Surb Khach church.
“Children tried to burn incense near one of the khachkars but a Turkish policeman came up and stepped on it,” Tonoyan said.
News from Armenia - NEWS.am
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