YEREVAN, JUNE 28, ARMENPRESS. The Spiritual Council of Istanbul’s Armenian Patriarchate passed a decision on suspending Achbishop Aram Ateshyan’s powers as patriarchal vicar, Agos newspaper reported.

The Council’s session was held on June 28. Bishop Sahak Mashalyan said the decision was passed with 22 votes in favor and 2 against.

Earlier on May 24, Ateshyan made a statement saying he is ready to step down as patriarchal vicar, and invited the elected patriarchal locum tenens Archbishop Garegin Bekchian to Istanbul.

Nevertheless, Ateshyan did not resign.

On June 24, Bekchyan and Ateshyan held a meeting, where Ateshyan had said he doesn’t intend to resign.