Epress.am News from Armenia
The mass was a special political point for both Armenian-Turkish relations and Armenia-Turkey relations. Aris Nalci, editor of Armenian-Turkish weekly Agos based in Istanbul, spoke with Epress.am about the Sept. 19 Divine Liturgy of Holy Cross Armenian Church on Lake Van’s Aghtamar Island.
Of course, the Turkish government will attempt to make use of this event, he said, but “this was a step we had to take. The thing is how we can use it [to our advantage].” For the Armenians in Turkey, who participated in the liturgy, it was an opportunity to say, look, we’re here, “this is our island and church.” This was important for both Turkey and the Armenians living in this country, because we made people realize that we remain Armenian, that “there are still Armenians who speak about their rights and demand them,” he said.
Aris, referencing a quote he gave to Turkish news media on Aghtamar island, said, to those who told him “Welcome,” he replied: “Welcome to my country,” emphasizing that Armenians continue to live in Turkey till today and that fact can’t be overlooked.
Speaking on the political overtures of the liturgy in greater detail, the Agos editor noted that “we all know that the [Turkish] authorities will use the liturgy as a show.”
“However, we also had the opportunity to use it for our own means. If we withdrew our participation, we were declining from using that opportunity. In my opinion, if you want to get your rights, you have to come and get them. No one’s going to give you your rights, if you don’t ask for more. So if we say, give us our church back, we have to go and get it,” he concluded.