A religious rite may take place once every year at eastern province of Van's Akdamar Church upon a proposal by the Van Governorship and approval by the Turkish Minister of Culture and Tourism Ertugrul Gunay.

The rite at the Akdamar Church may take place each year in the second week of September.

Governor of Van Munir Karaloglu said that the decision to permit a rite at Akdamar Church will boost faith tourism in the region and provide important advantages for those in the tourism sector.

Akdamar is an Armenian church located on Akdamar Island in Lake Van. The church was restored recently.


AA