A prayer was offered in St. Kirakos Armenian church in Diarbekir (Western Armenia) for the first time over the past 30 years, a Turkish newspaper said.

According to Hurriyet, the event was attended by coadjutor of the Constantinople Patriarchate of the Armenian Apostolic Church Aram Ateshyan, head of church foundation Tekin Papuchian, Diarbekir mayor Osman Baydemir, Armenians from other Turkish provinces as well as from Syria and Europe.

“This church is as important for Armenians as the Holy Cross,” His Eminence Ateshyan said.

“Although our religions are different, we are like brothers anyway. I openly state that a owe you. This town is yours as well,” mayor Baydemir added.

The reconstruction of the church is estimated $2,5 million, 70% of which was raised through efforts of the church foundation members, the rest was provided by the Diarbekir town administration.