AFFLICTED PATRIARCH MUTAFYAN SUSPENDS WORK

Noyan Tapan

Ju ne 16, 2008

ISTANBUL, JUNE 16, ARMENIANS TODAY – NOYAN TAPAN. The recent surgery
and subsequent health concerns have led to the de facto retirement
of the Armenian Patriarch of Constantinople Mesrob Mutafyan, who has
been patriarch since 1998.

Mutafyan, 52, underwent a thyroid operation several months ago. In
the period immediately after the surgery, the patriarchate announced
that Mutafyan required a lengthy period of recuperation, as he was
suffering from extreme fatigue.

However, it became clear soon that it was not simply fatigue that
afflicted the patriarch.

As a result of the patriarch’s illness, many official activities
of the patriarch have been suspended, as has the publication of the
patriarchate’s bulletin, Lraper.

The patriarchate’s Archbishop Aram Ateshian and Archbishop Shahan
Svazlian are taking over Mutafyan’s functions on a dayto- day
basis. Ateshian represented the patriarchate at the meeting of Pope
Benedict XVI and Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II in the Vatican
last month.

Various neurologists examining the patriarch suggested that he is
suffering from a neurological disorder, yet did not specify the
illness.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress