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Hürriyet Daily News (8 September 2025)

The 13th annual divine liturgy was held on Sept. 7 at the 1,100-year-old church on Akdamar Island in Lake Van in the country’s east, drawing a large congregation of clergy from the Armenian Patriarchate of Türkiye as well as visitors from across Türkiye and abroad.

Traditionally held on the first Sunday of September, the ceremony once again attracted hundreds of worshippers who began arriving at Gevaş district’s Akdamar Pier, some 45 kilometers from the city center, as early as 8 a.m.

Heightened security measures were in place and those wishing to attend were subject to checks before being ferried to the island by boat. The city authorities also arranged additional sea bus services to accommodate the crowds.

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