Director of the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute, historian Hayk Demoyan said that the ecclesiastical ceremony due September 19 in Surb Khach Armenian Church on Akhtamar island is another show of Turkey.

The Turkish authorities, who have not set a cross on the church yet, continue violating provisions of the Treaty of Lausanne signed in 1923, Demoyan told a press conference in Yerevan.

“Surb Arakelots Armenian temple of the 10th century has been transferred into a mosque. I would prefer the Turkish authorities to restore this temple instead of organizing an ecclesiastical ceremony in Surb Khach church,” said Demoyan. He added that it would be right if Armenia refrains from sending an official delegation for participation in the ceremony in Surb Khach church.