Negative coloring of the obstacles in Co-Patriarch’s elections spread by Turkish media, aroused indignation of Armenian Diaspora in Turkey. A co-patriarch should be elected because of Constantinople Patriarch Mesrob II Mutafyan’s illness, yet remaining a patriarch.

In this connection, Archbishop Aram Ateshyan, Head of Religious Council of the Armenian Patriarchate informed Recep Tayyip Erdogan of the intention in the course of Nov. 6, 2009 meeting. Last December Ateshyan accompanied by patriarchate representatives met with Istanbul Governor Muammer Guler and handed over the application for the conduction of co-patriarch’s elections. Thereafter, initiative delegation on patriarch elections running was formed. However, initiative delegation appealed to the Istanbul Governor for holding patriarch’s not co-patriarch’s elections.

According to Hurriyet daily, Religious Council of the Armenian Patriarchate expressed its concern over the issue, underlining that such actions conflict with 1700-years church traditions.

Religious Council and Initiative delegation should cooperate for having healthy elections, the statement by Religious Council reads.

A.G.