Armenian church in Malatya opened to worship after 106 years

Photos: AA

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Closed since 1915, Üç Horan Church in the eastern province of Malatya was opened to worship today (August 28).

Sahak Maşalyan, the Armenian Patriarch in Turkey and Ğriğoriyos Melki Ürek, the Metropolitan Bishop of Adıyaman and Surrounding Provinces and the Deputy Patriarch, as well as the mayor and governor of Malatya, attended the opening ceremony.

"The opening of the Surp Yerrortutyun Church is a milestone for this region. For the Armenians of Malatya, this opening is a day of the feast," said the patriarch.

Also speaking at the ceremony, Nuran Gezdirici, the chair of the Malatya Philanthropist Armenians Culture and Solidarity Association, said, "The opening of Üç Horan, or Taş Horan as our Muslim neighbors call it, gives us great pride."

She commemorated Hrant Dink, an Armenian journalist who was assassinated in 2007, noting that he had grown up "two streets away from the church."

Armenians from across the country also attended the opening ceremony. The first Sunday service at the church will be held tomorrow. (RT/VK)