Istanbul Governor’s office had sent a letter to the Armenian Patriarchate of Istanbul informing that it does not recognize Garegin Archbishop Bekchyan as the Deputy Patriarch of the Armenian Patriarchate on February 5.
“Agos” weekly informs that the Governor’s office has announced with the same letter that it continues to recognize Aram Archbishop Ateshian as the Patriarchal Vicar General.
The letter with deputy Governor, Ismayil Gyultekin’s signature holds that the Armenian Patriarch of Istanbul, Mesrob Mutafyan is alive, therefore the necessary moment for electing a new Patriarch has not come yet. The Governor’s office has insisted that the health issues are not within the row of the reasons for considering the patriarchal chair vacant.
The Governor’s office has announced that it considers the whole process of Bekchyan’s election as Deputy Patriarch, as well as all decisions he has made in this position invalid.
Let us remind you that the leaders of the foundations of the Armenian community have been invited to the Governor’s office for consultation meeting which will take place on February 7. And this has been succeeded by the appeal of the Representative Body coordinating patriarchal elections against the Ministry of Interior of Turkey, inasmuch as the applications of the Patriarchate about the elections to the respective entities were left unanswered.
Source: Ermenihaber.am
