On March 30, in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, under the presidency of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians; a Supreme Spiritual Council meeting was held, during which they considered the recent developments concerning the Patriarchal Locum Tenens election in the Armenian Patriarchate of Constantinople.

The Catholicos of All Armenians reflected on the current situation, and informed the members of a letter sent to Echmiadzin on 24 March, by Rev. Fr. Yegishe Uchqounian, Chairman of the Patriarchate Clerical Assembly; and Rev. Fr. Drtad Ouzounian, through which they officially informed His Holiness on the election of His Eminence Archbishop Karekin Bekchian as Patriarchal Locum Tenens in the Patriarchate on March 15.

At the end of discussions, His Holiness announced his decision to bless the choice of the Patriarchal Locum Tenens, which was welcomed by the members of the Supreme Spiritual Council.

On the same day, His Holiness Karekin II, sent a letter to the Chancellor of the Clerical Assembly of the Armenian Patriarchate of Constantinople.

“From the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, we convey our Pontifical blessing to the elected Patriarchal Locum Tenens of the Armenian Patriarchate of Constantinople, the clergymen and all our faithful Armenian children from Constantinople.

We urge you, that with the spirit of love and wisdom, to overcome the current problems and obstacles, and according to Church laws and rules, find better solutions to conduct the Patriarchal election, for the benefit of restoration of peace and solidarity for the Armenians of Constantinople”, stated His Holiness, and asked God’s support for the clergy of the See of Patriarchate of Constantinople in their spiritual service.