YEREVAN, MARCH 21, ARMENPRESS. Primate of the Armenian Diocese of Germany and elected patriarchal locum tenes of the Armenian Patriarchate of Istanbul Archbishop Garegin Bekchyan sent a letter from Cologne’s Primacy to Archbishop Aram Ateshyan, urging to follow church traditions and stop using the “vicar” term in official correspondence, Zhamanak daily reports.

In the letter he reminded Ateshyan the outcome of the election.

He stressed that Ateshyan must take into consideration that by the locum tenens election the powers of the patriarchal vicar are suspended.

In the same letter , Bekchyan notified Ateshyan that he appointed Bishop Sahak Mashalyan as locum tenens vicar, so he supervises all works during his absence.

Bekchyan asked Ateshyan to provide him with the copy of the letter sent to Istanbul Governorate with the purpose of organizing a meeting.