Restored 16th-century Armenian church reopens in Diyarbakir

Emil Lazarian 2022
Public Radio of Armenia
May 8 2022

16th-century St. Giragos Armenian church in Turkey’s southeastern Diyarbakir (historic Tigranakert) province heavily damaged in 2015 officially reopened on Saturday after restoration.

The Armenian Patriarch of Constantinople, Archbishop Sahak Mashalyan, president over the first Sunday mass at the church today.

The Patriarch called the opening of the church a lifeline for Diyarbakır’s Christian population, which has been on the decline.

Disclaimer: This article was contributed and translated into English by Emil Lazarian. While we strive for quality, the views and accuracy of the content remain the responsibility of the contributor. Please verify all facts independently before reposting or citing.

Direct link to this article: https://www.armenianclub.com/2022/05/09/restored-16th-century-armenian-church-reopens-in-diyarbakir/

Emil Lazarian

“I should like to see any power of the world destroy this race, this small tribe of unimportant people, whose wars have all been fought and lost, whose structures have crumbled, literature is unread, music is unheard, and prayers are no more answered. Go ahead, destroy Armenia . See if you can do it. Send them into the desert without bread or water. Burn their homes and churches. Then see if they will not laugh, sing and pray again. For when two of them meet anywhere in the world, see if they will not create a New Armenia.” - WS