Armenian mass a sign of growing tolerance

Bells rang and the liturgy echoed from inside an Armenian church in eastern Turkey for the first time in nearly a century on the 19 September 2010 at a Sunday service symbolising Turkish efforts to overcome its troubled history with ethnic and religious minorities.

The Greek Orthodox monastery at Sumela, near the Black Sea coast, was permitted one day of worship also in 2010, and the Turkish government has also taken tentative steps to broaden language and cultural rights for the large Kurdish minority.

ESO: Background information: Armenia puts deal to restore ties with Turkey on hold http://www.europeansources.info/record/armenia-puts-deal-to-restore-ties-with-turkey-on-hold/

ESO: Background information: Turkey lifts ban to allow mass at monastery http://www.europeansources.info/record/turkey-lifts-ban-to-allow-mass-at-monastery/

BBC News, 19.9.10: Armenian Mass at church in Turkey http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-11362391

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