Armenpress News Agency , Armenia Wednesday Problems over Armenian Patriarchate of Istanbul are solved, the locum tenens will set to organizing Patriarchal elections YEREVAN, MAY 24, ARMENPRESS. A lot was said and published about the situation in the Armenian Patriarchate of Istanbul and the stir among the Armenian community. Directorof Information Services Department of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin Rev.Fr. Vahram Melikyan gave an interview to “Armenpress” on the current developments. - What are the recent days’ developments in Istanbul? A few days ago the Supreme Religious Council issued another statement over that issue. - Really, the Supreme Religious Council once again raised the sensitive issue for our Church and national life during a meeting in Moscow a few days ago – the situation over the Armenian Patriarchate of Istanbul, when the elected locum tenens Archbishop Garegin Bekchyan was deprived of the opportunity to set to the implementation of his responsibilities. You might remember that back in February the three clerics of the Patriarchate arrived at the Mother See over the procedure of the Patriarchal elections, where an agreement was reached by the mediation of the Catholicos of All Armenians over the organization of the election of Patriarchal locum tenens. - Are there any results? What has changed in the life of Istanbul-Armenians? Will the undesired situation be solved? - I am glad to inform that the issue of the Patriarchate of Istanbul is finally solved. Today His Holiness Archbishop Aram Ateshian officially notified the Catholicos of All Armenians that he hands the leadership of the Patriarchate to the elected locum tenens, who will set to the organization of the elections of the Patriarchate. I have to note that Aram Ateshian has also sent an invitation to Archbishop Garegin to arrive in Istanbul and assume his post. Still a week ago Archbishop Aram Ateshian had informed Garegin Bekchyan about his intention. It was a long process. The Catholicos of All Armenians was in permanent touch with all the sides, making efforts so that the clergymen and the Armenian community make decisions and find solutions to the existing issues with brotherly spirit of peaceful cooperation. The efforts of the Armenian community should not be underestimated. The Catholicos of All Armenians highly appreciated the step of Archbishop Aram Ateshian. -What kind of developments should be expected in the near future? -The Catholicos of All Armenians and the Mother See have one wish, which is that the Istanbul-Armenians return to the peaceful and normal life and the Patriarchate of Istanbul finds its leader as a result of elections. In the nearest days a proper reception will be given for the locum tenens, who is currently in Germany. Afterwards, according to the procedure, an Initiating body will be set up after the elected locum tenens assumes his post, which will set to the organization of the Patriarchal elections led by the locum tenens.