A 1,100-year-old Armenian church in Türkiye's eastern Van province hosted its 11th special mass on Sunday, Sep. 10, since reopening in 2010 after a 95-year hiatus
Mesut Varol • 11 September 2023 • update: 11 September 2023
11th mass in Akdamar Church in Turkiye's Van
VAN, TURKEY - SEPTEMBER 10: A general view of Akdamar Church, where 11th mass is held, on Akdamar Island near Lake Van in Van, Turkiye on September 10, 2023. Akdamar Church is a 10th-century Armenian church as it is opened to worship once a year with the special permission of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. ( Mesut Varol - Anadolu Agency )Mesut Varol
11th mass in Akdamar Church in Turkiye's Van
VAN, TURKEY - SEPTEMBER 10: 11th mass is held at Akdamar Church on Akdamar Island near Lake Van in Van, Turkiye on September 10, 2023. Akdamar Church is a 10th-century Armenian church as it is opened to worship once a year with the special permission of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. ( Mesut Varol - Anadolu Agency )Mesut Varol
11th mass in Akdamar Church in Turkiye's Van
VAN, TURKEY - SEPTEMBER 10: 11th mass is held at Akdamar Church on Akdamar Island near Lake Van in Van, Turkiye on September 10, 2023. Akdamar Church is a 10th-century Armenian church as it is opened to worship once a year with the special permission of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. ( Mesut Varol - Anadolu Agency )Mesut Varol
11th mass in Akdamar Church in Turkiye's Van
VAN, TURKEY - SEPTEMBER 10: 11th mass is held at Akdamar Church on Akdamar Island near Lake Van in Van, Turkiye on September 10, 2023. Akdamar Church is a 10th-century Armenian church as it is opened to worship once a year with the special permission of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. ( Mesut Varol - Anadolu Agency )Mesut Varol
11th mass in Akdamar Church in Turkiye's Van
VAN, TURKEY - SEPTEMBER 10: 11th mass is held at Akdamar Church on Akdamar Island near Lake Van in Van, Turkiye on September 10, 2023. Akdamar Church is a 10th-century Armenian church as it is opened to worship once a year with the special permission of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. ( Mesut Varol - Anadolu Agency )Mesut Varol
11th mass in Akdamar Church in Turkiye's Van
VAN, TURKEY - SEPTEMBER 10: 11th mass is held at Akdamar Church on Akdamar Island near Lake Van in Van, Turkiye on September 10, 2023. Akdamar Church is a 10th-century Armenian church as it is opened to worship once a year with the special permission of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. ( Mesut Varol - Anadolu Agency )Mesut Varol
11th mass in Akdamar Church in Turkiye's Van
VAN, TURKEY - SEPTEMBER 10: Armenian Patriarch Sahak II Mashalian poses during an exclusive interview as 11th mass is held at Akdamar Church on Akdamar Island near Lake Van in Van, Turkiye on September 10, 2023. Akdamar Church is a 10th-century Armenian church as it is opened to worship once a year with the special permission of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. ( Mesut Varol - Anadolu Agency )Mesut Varol