This year, the 11th service was held under the leadership of the Patriarch of Türkiye Armenians, Sahak II, at the Surp Haç Church on Aghtamar Island in Lake Van, which was opened for worship once a year with the special permission of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.
On Sunday, September 10, the Holy Cross Armenian Apostolic Church on Aghtamar Island on Lake Van witnessed one of its historic days.
This year, a traditional pilgrimage was held in the historical church, which is opened for worship once a year with the special permission of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. Holy Offering Mass (Surp Badarak) took place under direction of the Patriarch of Türkiye Armenians at the Surp Haç Armenian Church on Van Aghtamar Island.
Surp Badarak, presided over by Patriarch Sahak II, attracted a lot of interest from people from home and abroad.
During his journey, Patriarch Sahak II, who departed from Istanbul on Friday, September 8, was accompanied by Senior Father Dırtad Uzunyan, the director of the Patriarchate in charge of Rites, and his assistant, Father Şirvan Mürzyan.
Patriarch Sahak II paid a courtesy visit to Van Governor Ozan Balcı on Saturday. Governor Balcı welcomed the Patriarch by saying “Welcome”. He expressed his happiness that the Holy Offering ceremony will be held at the Aghtamar Surp Haç Church once again this year.
The first service in the church was a baptism in the morning. An adult from Armenia was baptized and given the name “Yeraz” (Dream).
After Surp Badarak, Patriarch Sahak II preached in Armenian and Turkish. After the sermons, Hokehankisd (Requiem) prayers were read for the benefactors of the Aghtamar Surp Cross Church who sleep in the Lord; the Aghtamar Catholicos, the clergy who served, and all those who sleep in the Lord.
Then, they went to the church garden and “Antasdan” prayers were read there under the leadership of His Holiness the Patriarch. Afterwards, the ceremonies ended with the blessing of Patriarch Sahak II.
