Ateshyan-Bekchyan meeting gives no positive result

YEREVAN, APRIL 4, ARMENPRESS. Armenian Patriarchate of Istanbul’s patriarchal vicar Archbishop Aram Ateshyan and patriarchal locum tenens-elect Archbishop Garegin Bekchyan, Primate of the Armenian Diocese of Germany, had a meeting in Istanbul which gave no positive results, Agos’ Armenian language department editor Bagrat Estukyan told ARMENPRESS.

“The meeting was held with the participation of Aram Ateshyan, Garegin Bekchyan, and two non-clergy persons. Ateshyan said although Bekchyan has been elected as locum tenens, he cannot pass on his powers. He said Garegin Bekchyan can do what he can as locum tenens. It turns out that Bekchyan doesn’t assume all powers. If he has no capacity to act, can’t give orders, therefore he cannot prepare the patriarchal election process”, Estukyan said.

According to him, during the April 1 meeting with the deputy governor of Istanbul, it was mentioned that after the April 16 referendum the patriarchal election process will be addressed. Garegin Bekchyan’s actions remain unknown.

Estukyan said Bekchyan returned to Istanbul on April 2.

It was scheduled for him to enter the Mother Church with a welcoming ceremony, however during the previous days Ateshyan prohibited all priests from taking part in the event. They even tried to lock the Church doors.

“The doors of the Church were opened when Garegin Bekchyan and Sahak Mashalyan arrived. The planned ceremony didn’t take place, only a prayer was held. We are living rather unfortunate days for our Church, we are living days worth remembering with shame in history”, Estukyan said.