High-level officials, diplomats, journalists, Armenian community members and officials from Germany, France, several other European countries and USA attended the liturgy at Akhtamar's Holy Cross Church.

Delivering a speech at the gathering, Archbishop Aram Ateshian said the patriarchate attaches great importance to the preservation of Akhtamar Church and its transfer to future generations.

"This church, which is a valuable piece of art, is a cultural monument that belongs to the whole humanity. On this occasion, we would like to express our thanks to the state and government of Republic of Turkey for restoring and protecting this building," World Bulletin sited Ateshian as saying.

Holy Sees of Cilicia and Echmiadizn, Jerusalem Patriarchate, as well as a number of diaspora organizations refused to attend the liturgy.