Armenian church in Hatay reopens for worship

Opening its doors for the first time in nine years, the Karasun Manuk Armenian Church in the southern province of Hatay held worship services yesterday. The Turkish Armenian Patriarchate appointed Father Avedis Tabashyan to preside over the church in Iskenderun. "We are living in peace and order and tolerance in Turkey," Tabashyan said during the opening service. The church's former priest, Sarkis Serup Bilyan, died in 2002, and the church has since been closed for worship. The church was built in 1872.