From Istanbul to Aghtamar: An Armenian Pilgrimage

Rating:
Summary: Interesting, written with feeling nostalgic yet lightweight.
Review: Having taken this same trip in May 1998, I was quite intrigued by Professor Nersoyan's account of a trip through Eastern Turkey. I was able to retrace my recent experiences through his narrative of the towns and sites he visited with his friend Patriach Kaloustian who, a very long time ago was my teacher in the Armenian seminary in Jerusalem.I must say that the main reason I purchased the book was his mention in the title of his final destination- Aghtamar where the Church of Holy Cross stands proudly on this small island in Lake Van.I am surprised and disappointed that the author did not dwell deep enough on the subject. Having personally known of the author's talents,I expected that he would come up with a deeper more scholarly look in the past history of Aghtamar - the only standing Armenian church in Eastern Turkey.