CRISIS OVER DESIGNATING ARMENIAN PATRIARCH IN ISTANBUL

Tert.am
15:37 ~U 27.01.10

Certain obstacles have come forth as the Armenian Patriarchate in
Istanbul tries to designate a "co-patriarch" in light of current
Patriarch Mesrob II Mutafyan’s poor health.

According to Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News, it is the self-willed
steps of the council – specially summoned with the aim of electing
a successor – that has caused the disarray.

The point is that the spiritual council of the Patriarchate has applied
to Istanbul Governor Muammer Guler for permission to designate a
"co-patriarch." Later, the special council appealed to Turkish
authorities asking for permission to designate not a "co-patriarch,"
but a "patriarch."

This has caused serious discussions in the Constantinople community
as the special council has no such privilege. Besides, a patriarchate
can designate a new patriarch only in the event of the the current
patriarch’s death or resignation.

Three contenders have put forth their candidacies for Patriarch of
Constantinople: Archbishop Aram Ateshyan, Leader of Gugarats Diocese
Bishop Sebouh Chouldjian, and the spiritual leader of Armenians in
Germany, Bishop Garegin Bekchyan.

Archbishop Patriarch Mesrob II Mutafyan of Constantinople is the
84th Armenian Patriarch of Constantinople under the authority of the
Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians.

An announcement on the patriarchate’s website 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 December 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.