A liturgy has been served at the Church of Saint Gregory the Illuminator in Kayseri (historic Caeserea) in Turkey.

Around 50 Turkish citizens of Armenian descent from Istanbul, Yozgat and Sivas (Sebastia) took part in the mass.

Father Zakeos Ohanyan from the Armenian Patriarchate of Constantinople was also among the participants. He thanked others for coming all the way to Kayseri and the local government for giving the Armenian community such an opportunity, Ermenihaber.am reports citing Sondakika.

Once an important city with a population said to be 400000 in 250 AD, Caeserea was where St. Gregory the Illuminator grew up, was educated, and became a Christian.

After converting Trdat, king of Armenia, to Christianity in 301, it was to Caeserea that St. Gregory returned to be formally ordained as a priest, and until the year 373 all the early catholicoi of Armenia were consecrated in Caeserea.