Armenpress News Agency , Armenia
 Tuesday


Patriarchal locum tenens Archbishop Bekchian to arrive in Istanbul on June 1



YEREVAN, MAY 30, ARMENPRESS. Patriarchal locum tenens of Istanbul’s
Armenian Patriarchate Archbishop Garegin Bekchian – the Primate of
Germany’s Armenian Diocesee, will arrive in Istanbul on June 1, Agos
daily reports.

A special welcoming ceremony will be held, as well as liturgy will be
delivered at Kumkapı’s St. Mary church.

Bekchian was elected Patriarchal locum tenens in the Spiritual Council
of Istanbul’s Armenian Patriarchate on March 15. However, after his
election, Archbishop Aram Ateshian refused to leave the post of
patriarchal vicar which resulted in certain tension in the
patriarchate.

On May 24 Ateshian announced his resignation, officially inviting
Bekchian to Istanbul.