ASIA/TURKEY - No ringing of bells for the Armenian churches in the Turkish territory for the hundred years since the Genocide

Tuesday, 24 March 2015

Istanbul (Agenzia Fides) - One hundred ringing of bells in all Armenian churches of the planet at 19.15 - hour chosen to symbolically recall the year 1915 - and in this way commemorate the hundredth anniversary of the Armenian Genocide: is one of the initiatives that on April 23, on the eve of the commemorating day of the centenary of the "Big Evil", as recommended by Patriarch Karekin II, will join all Armenian communities around the world. With one notable exception: the churches of the Armenian Patriarchate of Constantinople, throughout the Turkish territory will not participate in the event. This is what the bilingual Armenian weekly in Istanbul reports, reporting news from Archbishop Aram Ateshian, current General Vicar of the Patriarchate, according to whom the Armenian communities in those days will celebrate requiem Masses and commerative liturgical moments, but without the hundred ringing of the church bells.
The titular of the Armenian Patriarch of Constantinople is still formally Patriarch Mesrob II, struck seven years ago from an incurable disease. Since 2008, the functions of Vicar of the Patriarch have been held by Archbishop Aram Ateshian. But a debate, at times excruciating, has been opened in the Armenian Apostolic community of Turkey on his possible succession, with influential members of the Armenian community in Turkey who support the urgent need to elect a Co-Patriarch with full functions, that assumes the leadership of the Patriarchate. (GV) (Agenzia Fides 24/03/2015)


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