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.