The historic Armenian Church of Surb Harutyun, located in the village of Kechimli in the Hozat district of Dersim, is in immediate danger of collapse. The church, built in 975, has remained neglected for years and has suffered serious damage due to both natural conditions and the illegal activities of treasure hunters.

The church has not been in operation since 1915, but Armenian inscriptions have been preserved on its walls to this day. The stone structure, arched entrance, and carvings on the walls testify to Dersim’s rich Armenian and multicultural past.

Local residents are demanding the restoration of the church, considering it one of the region’s most important monuments of historical and religious heritage. At the same time, some of the church’s stones have been damaged or stolen, while the remaining walls continue to suffer various forms of damage.

The current condition of the thousand-year-old Armenian church once again underscores the urgent need to preserve the Armenian historical and cultural heritage of Western Armenia.