YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 17, ARMENPRESS. Patriarchal Vicar of Istanbul’s Armenian Patriarchate Archbishop Aram Ateshyan and the president of the spiritual council of the Patriarchate Bishop Sahak Mashalyan will visit the Mother See of Holy Etchmiatsin, editor-in-chief of Istanbul’s Armenian “Zhamanak” newspaper Ara Gochunyan told ARMENPRESS.

“During next week, most probably on Tuesday, Archbishop Aram Ateshyan and Bishop Sahak Mashalyan will visit Etchmiatsin. Catholicos Garegin II will receive them. They are coming to Etchmiatsin to renew their relationship with the blessing of the Catholicos. They will pray in Holy Etchmiatsin for their brotherhood”, Gochunyan said.

According to him, the crisis between Ateshyan and Mashalyan could have led to serious obstacles, however it was able to be stopped, with the contribution of Catholicos Garegin II. The Catholicos maintained contact with them during the entire time, and urged them to stop the argument and return to work.

Speaking about the Patriarchal election, Gochunyan said a consultation was held on February 16 chaired by Archbishop Aram Ateshyan, which was attended by leading figures of the community. The consultation’s aim was to ease the tension between Ateshyan and Mashalyan.  Discussions were held during the meeting, and they succeeded to bypass the crisis between them.

Bishop Sahak Mshalyan and Archbishop Aram Ateshyan will continue their tenure.

“Several ideas regarding the probable date of the Patriarchal election were presented. The election date cannot be decided now. After the consitutiona referendum in Turkey on April 16, an application will be presented to the authorities on holding the Patriarchal election. It is for notification, to wait for the response of the authorities, in order to have coordinated work with them in that process”, Gochunyan said.

Bishop Sahak Mashalyan announced his resignation on February 13, saying Patriarchal Vicar Aram Archbishop Ateshyan is to blame for the decision.