YEREVAN, JANUARY 12, ARMENPRESS. Vicar of the Armenian Patriarchate of Istanbul Archbishop Aram Ateshyan announced that the letter necessary for holding election of a new Patriarch is ready. The letter must be submitted to the respective authorities for permission to hold the election, the Armenian “Zhamanak” (Time) newspaper of Istanbul reports.

Archbishop Aram Ateshyan said in line with the preparation of the letter, they have applied to Istanbul’s governorate by the request of having a meeting, however, as a result of the recent events, the meeting with the governor has not been held yet due to his busy schedule. Ateshyan informed that if the meeting is not held in the coming days, they will take another measures to send the request-letter.

A decision has been made during the October 26 , 2016 church meeting in the Armenian Patriarchate of Istanbul to request the Turkish authorities to grant a privilege of electing a new patriarch. The meeting discussed the issue that since May of 2008, Patriarch Mesrop Mutafyan withdrew from his duties and Archbishop Aram Ateshyan has been the Locum tenens to fulfill the Patriarchal duties.