Bekdjian Assumed His Duties: the Armenian Community of Istanbul Prepares for the Elections of Patriarch

• 06.04.2017, 18:56
•  Region,  World,  Armenia,  Diaspora

civilnet.am

On June 1 in Istanbul’s Kumkapi’s St. Mary Church took place the welcoming ceremony in honor of patriarchal locum tenens Archbishop Garegin Bekdjian and thereby he finaly assumed his duties.

On March 15 the Clerical Assembly of the Armenian Patriarchate of Istanbul elected Archbishop Karekin Bekdjian, Primate of the German Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church as Locum Tenens —a patriarchal alternate. After his election, however, Archbishop Aram Archbishop refused to leave his position, causing tension in Patriarchate and the Armenian community of Istanbul. Bekdjyan left for Germany and stated that he would not return to Istanbul, if there was no clear development with the election of Patriarch. On May 24, after the decision of the Supreme Council in Moscow that the Holy See of Etchmiadzin recognizes Bekdjian as a patriarchal alternate, Ateshyan announced his resignation, officially inviting Bekdjian to Istanbul.

This news was received quite enthusiastically both in Armenia and the Armenian community of Turkey. Thus, Bagrat Estukian, the editor of the Armenian version of  "Agos" newspaper, believes that this time the elections will not be postponed and the preparations of it will be held shortly after Archbishop Karekin arrives to Istanbul. It is expected that Bekdjian's  first step in his position will be the organization of the body for the patriarchal elections preperations.       

It should be noted that Constantinople Patriarch of the Armenian Apostolic Church can become Turkish-born clergy (bishops). So, there are four candidates in this position - Archbishop Aram Ateshyan, Primate of the Diocese of Gougark, Archbishop Sebouh Chouldjian, Primate of German Diocese, Archbishop Karekin Bekdjian and Sahak Bishop Mashalyan.

ARCHBISHOP KAREKIN BEKDJIAN, BIOGRAPHY

As the official website of Mother See informs, Archbishop Karekin Bekdjian (baptismal name Dikran), was born on 12 December 1942 in Constantinople. He completed his primary and secondary education at the Mekhitarians of Venice School of Constantinople and having a great desire to become a clergyman he entered the Holy Cross Seminary of Scutari in the 1959-1960 academic year. In 1960, on the feast of Transfiguration he was ordained an acolyte by the hand of Patriarch Archbishop Karekin Khachatourian.   

In 1963 he was ordained to the diaconate, and on 25 July 1965, on the Feast of Transfiguration, he was ordained as a celibate priest.  As the first clergyman and graduate of the Holy Cross Seminary, he was bestowed the name Karekin, in honor of Patriarch Archbishop Karekin Khachatourian, who was the founder of the Seminary.

In the same year he entered the University of Bonn of Germany, to complete his studies. After a year at Bonn, he left for the University of Bochum in Germany to further his studies. Here he took courses in psychology and pedagogy.

In the summer of 1970 he received the rank of Archimandrite (Vardapet) by Archbishop Shnork Galoustian. After completing his studies, he departed for Marseille, France in 1973 by the permission of the Patriarch and by the invitation of the local authorities. Here he received his first pastoral assignment at the St. Karapet Church of the St. Antoine quarter.

At the end of 1976 he was appointed to the position of parish priest of the Holy Translators’ Cathedral of Marseille, where he served until April of 1991.

In 1991 the Catholicos of All Armenians His Holiness Vasken I of Blessed Memory invited Father Karekin to Germany to serve as the spiritual pastor, and to lead the efforts to create a new Church Diocese.

In 1992 His Holiness Vasken I consecrated Father Karekin as a Bishop of the Armenian Church at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. During his first pastoral visit to Germany His Holiness Karekin I, Catholicos of All Armenians of Blessed Memory, highly praised the Primate’s activity and elevated him to the rank of Archbishop by Pontifical Encyclical dated 28 May 1998.

http://www.armenianchurch.org/index.jsp?sid=1&id=4069&lng=en