MIRAN MANUKYAN

The Armenian Patriarchate of Turkey made an important decision concerning the patriarchal election. With the decision of the Clerical Assembly, the process of election has officially started. Leading the meeting of the Assembly, Bishop Sahak Mashalian answered the questions concerning the background of this decision and the course of the election process. He stated that a committee consisting of clerics will apply for election.

General Vicar of the Patriarch Archbishop Aram Ateşyan, Bishop Sahag Maşalyan, Representative of Minority (Community) Foundations and Council Member of the Directorate General of Foundations Toros Alcan DDS PhD and Samatya Surp Kevork High School Chairman Yesayi Demir spoke to Agos about the concerns about the decreasing population.

Investor Gencay Tunç (Garabed Varujan Husigyan) established a large pig farm and packing plant in Bolu in order to produce pork products. However, Tunç was faced with unimaginable bureaucratic obstacles and he couldn't have managed to open his completed facility.

According to the Mayor of Fatih Municipality, expropriations will be conducted for the landscape plan of the Patriarchate and Surp Hovannes Church in Narlıkapı.

Family grave of Balyans, the architects of the symbolic buildings of Istanbul, is being renovated. As part of the restoration, a monument for Balyan family will be built.

Following a six-month course of church doctrine and basic knowledge of Christian belief, 12 more Dersim Armenians took their first step back to Christianity with a collective baptism ceremony. Two married couples also held religious engagement ceremonies following the baptism ceremony held on 9 May 2015, Saturday at the Yeşilköy Surp Istepanos Church.

Agos founder and chief editor Hrant Dink was commemorated at his graveside on the 8th anniversary of his assassination with a ceremony attended by his family and friends.