ARAM ATEŞYAN

After Maşalyan's resignation, a protocol was issued in a secret meeting that was held before the meeting of VADİP (Cooperation and Consultation Platform for Foundations), foundation chairs and executives. Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II made a statement on the recent developments. Catholicos stated that the protocol is against the traditional procedure.

After the resignation of Sahak Maşalyan, the head of the Clerical Assembly, the debate on election continues. The date is set for the election, but the reactions don't stop.

Deadlock of patriarchal election caused a crisis in the patriarchate. Head of Clerical Assembly Bishop Sahak Maşalyan released a written statement today and announced that he has resigned.

In the Armenian press, there have been reports claiming that Vicar Patriarch Aram Ateşyan testified as part of the investigation on a painting that was disappeared from Armenian Patriarchate of Istanbul. Ateşyan said that he hasn’t testified, but filed a complaint two years ago.

The Clerical Assembly of the Patriarchate of Turkey decided to superannuate the Patriarch Mesrob II on the ground that he has been unable to perform his duty for 7 years. It is announced that there will be an application for starting the election process.

Archbishop Karekin Bekdjian, Primate Diocese of the Armenian Church of Germany, urged Armenians in Istanbul to be more determinate in terms of demanding a patriarchal election.

A group of people from different circles of Armenian society gathered in front of the Patriarchate and demand a patriarchal election, which couldn’t have been done for 8 years. The group placed a black wreath on the door.

In the headline of this week's Agos, there are reactions of Armenian society toward General Vicar of Armenian Patriarch in Turkey Archbishop Aram Ateşyan's letter to President Erdoğan. The editorial points at an election.

Agos responded to Archbishop Aram Ateşyan, General Vicar of Armenian Patriarch in Turkey, who is severly criticized by the Armenian society because of his letter addressed to President Erdoğan: "You define the systematic and almost complete annihilation of a people by the decision of the state itself as 'the events happened during the tragic times of World War I'; this is an affront to the ancestors, victims and the survivors in the eyes of the society to which you also belong.”

Archbishop Aram Ateşyan, General Vicar of Armenian Patriarch in Turkey, sent a letter to President Erdoğan about the Armenian Genocide resolution of Bundestag. In the letter, Ateşyan defined the passing of the resolution as “abuse of Armenian nation by imperialist forces”. Claiming that the decision caused a deep regret in Armenian nation, he said “we submit our regret to your dignified office”.