HDP visits St. Giragos Armenian Church in Amed

Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) co-deputy chair in charge of Economy and Diyarbakır MP Garo Paylan paid a visit to St. Giragos Armenian Church, which is under restoration in Sur district, with his party members. Paylan received information about the restoration from the workers. The deputy revealed that he would welcome Easter, which will be celebrated on April 17, in that church.

The Armenian Apostolic church was heavily damaged during the rural battles along with the rest of the historic district of Sur. The church was regarded as one of the largest and most important Armenian churches in the Middle East with its seven altars.

The longest curfew in history was declared on December 2, 2015 in Amed’s Sur district and wasn’t lifted after the 103 day-long intense clashes ended. 

The curfew enforcement caused great cultural and humanitarian destruction, while sacred sites considered to be the common faith and cultural heritage of humanity were laid to ruins. Churches, mosques, manors and bathhouses in the historic town were destroyed. The Behram Pasha Bath House, built between 1564 and 1567, was targeted by heavy weapons. The Hacı Hamit Mosque, the one-of-a-kind 1500-year-old Four Pillared Minaret and its mosque, the Sheikh Mutahar Mosque, the Armenian Catholic Church, the Mehmed Uzun House, the Crown Prince Mansion, the Protestant Church, the Mor Pedriom Chaldean Church and the Surp Giragos Armenian Church, which was the biggest church in the Middle East, were heavily damaged in the clashes.