Former Armenian vicar calls for obedience to Turkish authoritiesDecember 21, 2017 - 17:43 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Discussions surrounding the election of a new leader for the Armenian Patriarchate of Constantinople are still underway, former vicar, archbishop Aram Ateşyan said on Thursday, December 21. Following Ateşyan's resignation in May, the Armenian community elected Archbishop Garegin Bekchian as patriarchal locum tenens. Ateşyan nonetheless claims to still be the vicar as the Turkish authorities have allegedly confirmed him in the post. “They always tell me that (Turkish president Recep Tayyip) Erdogan is my brother, and I feel good about it,” Ateşyan said. “The better are my relations with the president, the prime minister and the ministers, the more my community will benefit from them.” The former vicar also weighed in the letter he sent to Erdogan following Germany’s recognition of the Armenian Genocide in June 2016, claiming that the move was in the interest of the community. At the same time, Ateşyan failed to describe the murder of 1,5 million innocent Armenians by Ottoman Turkey as Genocide. Also, Ateşyan called for obedience to the Turkish government which rejects Bekchian and demands election of a new Patriarch. Top stories Six total incidents have burned 19 old-growth trees. Friday night 8 trees were torched along the beautiful main entrance. The EU does not intend to conduct military exercises with Armenia, Lead Spokesperson for EU Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Peter Stano says. Hikmet Hajiyev has said that there is no place for USAID operation in Azerbaijan any longer. A telephone conversation between Putin and Pashinyan before the CSTO summit is not planned, Peskov says. Partner news | The Power of One Dram to benefit Road of Life charity The companies inform that the May beneficiary of The Power of One Dram is the “Road of Life” charitable organization. Ucom General Director gives lecture at French University in Armenia The General Director of Ucom Ralph Yirikian delivered a lecture at the French University of Armenia. Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. Aram I supports Karekin II’s “patriotic position” Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia Aram I has expressed support for the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. |