AAC Constantinople Patriarch goes on sick leaveJune 16, 2008 - 16:28 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Patriarch of Constantinople, His Holiness Mesrop Mutafyan was operated on for his thyroid gland and will not perform his duties for a certain period of time.As PanARMENIAN.Net came to know from the Armenian community of Istanbul, the Patriarch went on a 6-month sick leave. "The Spiritual Council represented by Archbishop Aram Ateshyan and Shahan Ayvazyan will assume his duties," the source said. Archbishop Mutafyan has headed the Constantinople Patriarchate since 1998. If he is disabled, the Armenian community should elect a new spiritual leader, according to the Turkish Constitution. Afterwards, the candidacy is forwarded to the Turkish government, which approves or rejects it. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Court in Azerbaijan extends former Karabakh leader’s arrest by 5 months The Binagadi District Court in Azerbaijan has granted the prosecutor’s petition to extend the arrest of Arkady Ghukasyan. Ucom General Director joins High-Tech Development Panel Discussion The discussion was titled "The Role of International Corporations and Investors as Catalysts for Development of High-Tech Ecosystem." U.S. still believes “peace is possible” between Armenia, Azerbaijan The United States continues to believe that peace is possible between Armenia and Azerbaijan, Vedant Patel says. Dozens detained as antigovernment protest continue in Armenia At least 63 people demanding Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s resignation were detained on May 14 as they blocked streets in Yerevan. |