Opinion: It’s necessary to participate in Mass at Surb Khach

“I am a little concerned over opinions of those who think that we shouldn’t participated in the September 19 Mass that is to be served at Surb Khach (St Cross) Church” in Akhtamar Ireland, [modern Turkey], said at the news conference Director of the Center of Globalization and Regional Cooperation, political scientist, Stepan Grigorian. 

“I wonder how the Armenian side can so easily surrender what belonged to them. I don't want to offend anyone, but this makes me think whether the church is ours? If it is an Armenian Church, then we must go there and participate in the Mass,” stressed expert.

Turkey is definitely playing its own game but “whether Armenia has no benefit from this,” said Grigorian. “If we don’t participate, and turn to our churches, then they will become Georgian, Byzantian…” he said.

Stepan Grigorian also stressed that for long 70 years neither Armenian Church was consecrated in Turkey, and under these circumstances the Mass at Surb Khach Church is a great progress and it’s necessary to participate without doubt.