“The Charter of the Patriarchate of Istanbul constitutes, that Patriarch’s position should be taken by a person possessing the support and confirmation of the Turkish authorities in that position. In case of the election of Archbishop Karekin Bekchian we saw that the process is not smooth and the Turkish authorities insist for the candidate to be who they approve of”, informed turkologist Andranik Israyelyan to Aravot.am, referring to the situation burst around the Armenian Patriarchate of Istanbul.
Let us remind you that in February, Istanbul Governor’s Office announced it recognized Archbishop Aram Ateshian as the vicar of Istanbul Patriarchate, and Archbishop Karekin Bekchian, who had been elected as a vicar earlier, left Istanbul.
“Within the context of all of this, it is understandable that the functioning of the Patriarchate directly depends on the wish of the Turkish authorities and their support,” noticed turkologist.
Addressing to Archbishop Aram Ateshian vs. Turkish authorities relations, Andranik Israyelyan mentioned: “He maintains good personal relations with Erdogan. The so-called progress which is present in Patriarchate vs. state relations is due to these very warm relations. For example, the attack of the nationalists on the building of Patriarchate taken place lately can be said to have stopped. It is connected with the authorities’ goodwill.”
According to the expert, the reasons and the situation can be understood, stemming from which Archbishop Aram Ateshian, for example, sent his apologies to Erdogan for German Bundestag’s adoption of the bill on the Armenian Genocide, or when the Patriarchate made a statement welcoming Turkey’s invasion of Syria’s Afrin enclave.
“I do not exclude that the Turkish authorities have alerted prompting suchlike announcements,” emphasized Andranik Israyelyan.
Luiza SUKIASYAN
Photo Credit: “Political Science Association of Armenia”
