Sourp Haroutiun
Encyclopedia
Sourp Haroutiun is an Armenian Apostolic chapel in Ayios Dhometios, Nicosia
, Cyprus.
The chapel is located in the second Armenian cemetery to the west of Ayios Dhometios, Nicosia and was built in 1938 by rich businessman Haroutiun Bohdjalian, who was later buried in this cemetery ,.
The cemetery has been in use as a burial place since 1931. In 1963 the remains of about 100 persons buried in the old Armenian cemetery near Ledra Palace
were transferred here and buried in a mass grave. In 1974, following the Turkish invasion
, it fell within the UN buffer zone and very near the cease-fire line. As a result, no liturgies have been held there since 1974 and, until 2007, visits were allowed on one Sunday per month (it was later increased to two Sundays per month). Thanks to the efforts of Armenian MP Vartkes Mahdessian, since 2007 visits are allowed every Sunday noon.
The cemetery was cleared and restored by the UNFICYP in 2005. In early 2010 the chapel was restored with the hope of holding liturgies there in the near future.
Nicosia
Nicosia from , known locally as Lefkosia , is the capital and largest city in Cyprus, as well as its main business center. Nicosia is the only divided capital in the world, with the southern and the northern portions divided by a Green Line...
, Cyprus.
The chapel is located in the second Armenian cemetery to the west of Ayios Dhometios, Nicosia and was built in 1938 by rich businessman Haroutiun Bohdjalian, who was later buried in this cemetery ,.
The cemetery has been in use as a burial place since 1931. In 1963 the remains of about 100 persons buried in the old Armenian cemetery near Ledra Palace
Ledra Palace
The Ledra Palace Hotel is located in central Nicosia, Cyprus, and until 1974 was one of the largest and most glamorous hotels of the capital. The Hotel was built in 1949 and had a de luxe rating. All rooms had hot and cold water, central heating and a telephone. Facilities included a conference,...
were transferred here and buried in a mass grave. In 1974, following the Turkish invasion
Turkish invasion of Cyprus
The Turkish invasion of Cyprus, launched on 20 July 1974, was a Turkish military invasion in response to a Greek military junta backed coup in Cyprus...
, it fell within the UN buffer zone and very near the cease-fire line. As a result, no liturgies have been held there since 1974 and, until 2007, visits were allowed on one Sunday per month (it was later increased to two Sundays per month). Thanks to the efforts of Armenian MP Vartkes Mahdessian, since 2007 visits are allowed every Sunday noon.
The cemetery was cleared and restored by the UNFICYP in 2005. In early 2010 the chapel was restored with the hope of holding liturgies there in the near future.