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.