On the previous day, a meeting of the members of the initiative body and the heads of foundations took place within the Armenian Patriarchate of Constantinople, during which a decision was made not to appeal the new regulations sent to the Patriarchate by Turkey’s Ministry of Interior on September 23. It should be noted that among the new conditions set forth in the regulations for nominating a candidate for Patriarch, the most contentious is the prohibition on nominating candidates residing abroad. This was reported by Ermenihaber.am.
Following the meeting, a statement was issued by the initiative body, in which it was specifically stated:
“During the discussion held on October 3, all representatives of the foundations present expressed their views regarding the regulations, and the statement of the Spiritual Council was read. Subsequently, a vote was held, the result of which was a split of votes. Then, during the discussion held in an expanded format, taking into account the opinion of the majority, a decision was made to proceed with the election of the Patriarch under the conditions proposed by the regulations.”
Thus, in effect, the Armenian Patriarchate of Constantinople has decided not to appeal the restriction imposed by Turkey’s Ministry of Interior. Consequently, under the conditions of the new regulations, the number of candidates vying for the seat of the Patriarch of Constantinople will be severely reduced.
