CHURCHES

Attending the Lent dinner organized by AKP Şişli District Organization, Deputy Prime Minister Veysi Kaynak talked about the patriarchal election.

Değabah and Armenian Primate of Germany Archbishop Karekin Bekçiyan has been in Germany for a while. He announced that he'll be in Istanbul soon and stay in the patriarchate.

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.

People are reacting against the interference of the governor’s office in the patriarchal election. Lawyer Sebu Aslangil stated that the notice of the governor’s office is unlawful.

Istanbul Governor’s Office interfered in the process of patriarchal election. In a notice sent to the patriarchate by deputy governor, it is stated that it is “legally” impossible to start the process.

Archbishop Karekin Bekçiyan, who elected as the değabah by the Clerical Assembly, made a statement about the notice from the governor’s office which states that “the election is legally impossible”.

The election of değabah (trustee), which is considered as the first step of patriarchal election, started in Istanbul.

In the process of patriarchal election, Armenian society waits for the değabah (trustee) election. The election will be held on March 15. The result is expected to be announced on the same day.