RELIGIOUS HEADS GUIDED BY UNWRITTEN LAWS

Hakob Chakryan, expert in Turkish studies, had visited St. Cross Church of Aghtamar Island before the restoration. “It had no door, the sacristy was totally destroyed… There were sculptures from old and new testaments on the wall with signs of gunshots. At least by becoming a museum it will be saved from destruction,” Hakob Chakryan said.

He believes we should not negatively assess the restoration of the church. Chakryan is not surprised. He expected that St. Cross would be opened as a museum. However, it is unacceptable for the religious heads of the country. The Armenian Apostolic Church believes it is immoral to take part in the inauguration of St. Cross Church as a museum because it used to serve as a stable, arms storage and refuge for soldiers.

“I believe no man of church would be delighted to take part in the ceremony,” Ter Vahram, a clergy, said. He said our religious fathers declined the Turkish side based on moral laws, which are not written.