YEREVAN, MARCH 25, ARMENPRESS. Istanbul Patriarchal locum tenens Garegin Bekchian issued a statement from the Primacy of Cologne, informing that in the near future he will return to Istanbul, “Armenpress” reports Istanbul-based “Zhamanak” daily informs. Below is the full statement of Bekchian.

“My return to Germany a few days later after being elected Patriarchal locum tenens caused many questions among the media and the public. On this occasion I would like to convey the following to our public through media.

Before the elections of the locum tenens I naturally could not know I would be elected locum tenens. Therefore, I had arrived in Istanbul for participating in the elections for a few days.

Besides being elected locum tenens, I continue to remain the leader of the Armenian Diocese in Germany. Though I have an authorized vicar in the diocese, but there were a number of in advance made diocesan, personal and inter-church agreements which must be respected by me where my personal presence is a must. This was the reason I had to return to Germany a few days after the elections. According to our church rules, when the Patriarch, locum tenens or the leader leaves the country for a while, he appoints a vicar who will replace him during his absence and will assume some responsibilities. The appointment of His Eminence Sahak by me as the vicar of the locum tenens should be seen and understood under this light.

In the nearest days I am going to return to Istanbul to reassume my responsibilities of locum tenens. I will send a writ about this to Their Eminencies Aram and Sahak”.