ARAM ATEŞYAN

General Vicar of Armenian Patriarch of Turkey Archbishop Aram Ateşyan announced that he resigned in a meeting with some foundation executives and benefactors. Ateşyan also sent an official letter to Değabah Bekçiyan, informing that Bekçiyan has the responsibility to carry out the election process and he will hand over the administrative duties. It is expected that the process will accelerate now.

Archbishop Aram Ateşyan, General Vicar of Armenian Patriarch of Turkey, resigned.

Protests against Aram Ateşyan, who maintains his seat as General Vicar of the Patriarch, continued this week. People gathered in front of Feriköy Surp Vartanants Church for staging protest.

Yesterday, a meeting was held in the patriarchate with the participation of Değabah Bekçiyan, Archbishop Ateşyan and some lay representatives. Bekçiyan made a statement after the meeting, which Ateşyan didn't want to attend in the first place.

Aram Ateşyan announced that he resigned as the chair of Hovagim 1461 Foundation, which was supposedly established “to solve the problem of legal entity of the patriarchate” and has been at the center of Beykoz land debates.

Istanbul Governor’s Office interfered in the patriarchal election. During the election of değabah, a notice signed by the deputy governor was sent to the patriarchate, claiming that starting the election process is “legally” impossible. Ateşyan and Maşalyan will try to meet with the governor and explain the process.

Emphasizing that the notice from the governor’s office rendered the patriarchate dysfunctional, His Eminence Sahak Maşalyan stated that a meeting should be held in governor’s office immediately, His Eminence Aram should resign and His Eminence değabah Karekin Bekçiyan should take up the position.

After the meeting in Etchmiadzin, Primate Diocese of the Armenian Church of Germany Karekin Bekdjian and General Vicar of the Patriarch of Istanbul Aram Ateşyan assessed the developments.

Bedros Şirinoğlu, Efrim Bağ, Harun Keçecioğlu, Melkon Karaköse, Sebu Aslangil, Nurhan Çetinkaya and Toros Alcan told about February 16 protocol, which triggered the debate in Armenian society of Turkey.

Nor Zartonk made a statement on the crisis concerning the patriarchal election that started with the resignation of Sahak Maşalyan. Stating that the protocol signed in the secret meeting is invalid for Armenian society, Nor Zartonk urged Ateşyan to resign and demanded institutions managed by “wealthy men” become transparent and accountable.