"Many Armenians had not grasped the significance of the re-opening of the Akhtamar Island Armenian Church on March 29," historian Ara Sarafian stated. He said, Akhtamar Church re-opening became an important "peace-offering" from Turkey. According to Sarafian, the restoration of the Holy Church Church represents a clear response to the many accusations of "cultural genocide" lodged by the Armenian community outside of Turkey. "The opening up of the church had caused surprise in the Armenian community," he added, Hurriyet reports.