Akhtamar Church to be allowed to celebrate Mass more often

A historic Armenian church in eastern Turkey may be permitted to celebrate Mass more often, according to Anadolu Agency.

The Armenian Church of the Holy Cross on Lake Van’s Akhtamar Island currently must apply for permission to hold religious services.

The Turkish government allowed Mass to be celebrated for the first time in 95 years there in 2010.

According to the reports, the Turkish government plans to increase fundamental rights of ethnic and religious minorities in the country.

Among these proposed measures are the renaming of certain towns and villages to their original names.

Kurdish-language announcements could be introduced on flights to some regions.