WHO WILL BE THE 85TH PATRIARCH OF CONSTANTINOPLE?
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12:50:10 – 26/02/2010
Today, Bishop Sahak Mushalyan and Turkologist Tigran Lokmagozyan
presented the situation over the election of the Constantinople
patriarch.
As pointed out by Bishop Sahak, Patriarch Mesrob Mutafyan is unable
to manage the affairs of the Patriarchate because of bad health
conditions. Since because of his illness he cannot voluntarily
abandon his duties, it was decided to elect a deputy patriarch,
who, however, will not be 85th Patriarch of Constantinople until the
death of Mesrop. According to the bishop Sahak, since 1461, when the
Patriarchate of Constantinople was established, this is the first
time the institute of the deputy patriarch is used.
‘Because only the Turkish government has the right to change the
patriarch, the options can be 4. State may agree with the idea of
the deputy patriarch or to elect a new patriarch, Patriarch Mesrob
will reign until his death and the Government will take the option
approved by the community", said the bishop.
According to Tigran Lokmagozyan, the community had not intended
to elect a new patriarch. During the congregation, led by national
authorities, it was decided to establish a proactive body, which was
supposed to make a decision. This body, having exceeded its powers,
took an unexpected decision to apply to the Turkish government with the
application of electing a new patriarch. However, it is a violation
of the law, because it is stated by the law that the patriarch must
either abandon his post himself, or he should remove the government.