Two bishops announce their candidacies for Patriarch of Constantinople
07.01.2010 15:34 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ As the Armenian Patriarchate in Istanbul tries to
designate a `co-patriarch’ in light of the illness of Patriarch Mesrob
Mutafyan or Mesrob II, two religious leaders have announced their
candidacies for Patriarch of Constantinople.

One candidate is Bishop Sebouh Chuljyan, the primate of the Gougark
diocese in Armenia. Another is the German Armenian’s leader, Bishop
Karekin Bekjyan. Both are qualified since they were born in Turkey as
required and have impressive religious qualifications. Among six
candidates, the two replied positively to the Armenian patriarchate’s
letter asking whether or not they would put themselves forward as
candidates. Bishop Karekin is expected to meet the Armenian Orthodox
community in Istanbul soon as he will travel to Turkey following the
Armenian Church’s New Year on Jan. 6.

The Turkish Armenian community recognizes Mesrob Mutafyan as their
community’s spiritual leader until the end of his life, Today’s Zaman
reported.

An announcement on the patriarchate’s Web site in December stated that
they had submitted an application to the relevant authorities toward
the selection of a co-patriarch. The statement noted that until the
emergence of health problems, Patriarch Mesrob II had served in his
position for 11 years and that on Dec. 24, 2008, the patriarchate
decided that he would be the community’s spiritual leader until his
death.

The application was accepted by Istanbul Governor Muammer Guler and
has been forwarded as required to the Ministry of the Interior, the
patriarchate added.