Karasoun Manoug Armenian Church being restored in Türkiye

The Karasoun Manoug Armenian Church in the İskenderun district of Hatay Province in southern Türkiye is undergoing restoration, Ermenihaber reports.

The church sustained significant damage in the 7.6-7.7 magnitude earthquake that struck Türkiye on February 6, 2023. The church was built in 1876 and has a 150-year history.

Yusuf Tabaş, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Karasoun Manoug Armenian Church Foundation, said the restoration work would be carried out with 5 million Turkish liras ($105,000) in state funding.

The altar area was damaged and destroyed in the earthquake. Tabaş said the church would be completely closed for religious services by the end of this week.

As part of the restoration, the church roof will be repaired, the floor restored and the existing drainage problem addressed. The altars will be reconstructed, and necessary work will be carried out to restore the appearance of walls in need of repair.

In addition, structures adjacent to the church, including shops that provide a source of income for the church, will also be restored.