Turkish media report that around 6,000 Armenians are expected to participate in the liturgy of the Church of the Holy Cross (Surb Khach) on Aghtamar Island, Turkey (Western Armenia) on September 19. The estimate, however, conflicts with numbers projected by tour agencies in Armenia, who say that not more than a few hundred have made travel plans.

Holy Cross, built in the 10th century was reconstructed by Turkish authorities in 2007 and in spring 2010, the government of Turkey agreed to let Armenians have a holy mass at the church once a year.