YEREVAN, MARCH 8, ARMENPRESS. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has expressed condolences to the Armenian community, the Armenian Patriarchate of Constantinople and Mesrob II’s family over the latter’s passing.

“I was deeply grieved to learn about the demise of Armenian Patriarch of Constantinople Mesrop Archbishop Mutafyan.

As a church leader, he made an invaluable contribution to the revival of national-spiritual life in Turkey and the consolidation of the Armenian Church and the Armenian community.

Mesrop Archbishop Mutafyan enjoyed high reputation for his activities and will remain in our memory as a spiritual leader devoted to his mission.

I express my deepest condolences to Patriarch Mutafian’s family, the Armenian Patriarchate of Constantinople and the entire Armenian community”, Pashinyan said in a cable, as reported by his office.

Mesrob II died March 8 at the age of 62 following many years of suffering from dementia. He was in a coma for more than 10 years.

Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan