ARMENIAN CHURCH IN NORTHERN CYPRUS TRANSFORMED INTO CAFE
YEREVAN, MAY 10. ARMINFO. An Armenian church in Northern Cyprus has
been transformed into a cafe. The press-service of the Armenian
Foreign Ministry informs ARMINFO that the historical monastery
St.Makar in the mountainous region of Kirena, in the zone of the
Turkish occupation, has suffered this fate.
The source reports that the issue dated April 17 of the Turkish
newspaper “Yeniduzen” published in Northern Cyprus says that the
current owner of the monastery transformed into the cafe is a certain
Dervish Sonmezler intends to transform it into a hotel. The monastery
founded by Copts in the 4th century was later transferred to Armenians
and has been one of the Armenian sacred places for many centuries.
Being under the jurisdiction of the Great House of Cilicia in
Antilias, St.Makaravank maintained close ties with Etchmiadzin. Before
the Turkish occupation of the Northern part of Cyprus, the church was
one of the sights of the Cyprian Armenians. At present, it is left and
inaccessible for the Christian believers. Manuscripts and icons were
robbed and sold, and gross infringement of the International Law was
prevented only due to the combined efforts of the Cyprian authorities,
the Armenian Church and international structures, the source reports.