Annan Ertem, director-general of the Foundations department, told Anadolu Agency 15 million Turkish liras ($2.75 million) will be spent on the restoration of Surp Giragos and Mar Petyun churches in the southeastern Diyarbakir province.<\/p>\n
The Ministry of Environment and Urbanization will provide the funds, he added.<\/p>\n
\u201cAll historical buildings in the area will be restored,\u201d Ertem said.<\/p>\n
Also speaking to Anadolu Agency, Turkey\u2019s Chaldean Church Deputy Patriarch Mgr. Francois Yakan said Mar Petyun is the only Chaldean church in the province.<\/p>\n
Chaldean Catholics originate from ancient Assyrian communities indigenous to modern-day Iraq.<\/p>\n
Both churches were built during the rule of Ottoman Empire.<\/p>\n
Surp Giragos is an Armenian church built in the 16th century and it is the largest Armenian church in the Middle East spread over 3,000 square meters.<\/p>\n
Mar Petyun Chaldean Church was built in the 17th century.<\/p>\n
In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK \u2014 listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the EU \u2014 has been responsible for the deaths of some 40,000 people, including women and children.<\/p>\n