On Tuesday, December 17, His Eminence the Patriarch II. Sahak Mashalyan received representatives of different Churches who paid visits to congratulate him for his election at the Armenian Patriarchate.
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I, Chaldean Archbishop Ramzi Garmo, Latin Catholic Bishop of Istanbul Monsignor Rubén Tierrablanca Gonzalez, Patriarchal Vicar of the Syriac Orthodox Church Archbishop Mor Filüksinos Yusuf Cetin, Syrian Catholic Patriarchal Vicar Chorbishop Monsignor Orhan Çanlı and his predecessor Monsignor Yusuf Sag, Armenian Catholic Archbishop Monsignor Levon Zekiyan; Yakup Ataker, Zeki Ataker, Volkan Er, İlyas Devli ve Cem Erçin from the Association of Protestant Churches of Turkey, members of the Focolare movement and Archrpriest Nicholas Wyrwol from German Catholic Church were among the people who visited His Eminence the Patriarch.
Each representative expressed their joy for the election of Sahak II as the Patriarch. The guests especially reminded new Patriarch’s contribution to the Ecumenical dialog. Each of them had remembered the Armenians in Turkey in their prayers by asking the peace and prosperity for this See. In this respect, the representatives of the Churches wished the Patriarch success in his new position.
His Eminence the Patriarch Sahak II thanked all the spiritual leaders on behalf of the Patriarchate. Their presence reinforced inter-church fraternity and strengthened the love of brotherhood in the Lord Jesus Christ. His Beatitude the Patriarch wished that the blessings that appeared in the Office of the Patriarchate would be extended to all the other church communities.
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I also visited Patriarch Mashalyan and gave him a bishop necklace and a cross.
His Eminence the Patriarch Sahak II. Mashalyan thanked all the spiritual leaders on behalf of the Patriarchate. Their presence reinforced inter-church fraternity and strengthened the love of brotherhood in the Lord Jesus Christ. Patriarch Mashalian wished that the blessings that appeared in the Patriarchate Office after the election would be spread to all sister churches and congregations.
The elected Patriarch Mashalyan received mayors and politicians as well. Kadıköy Mayor Şerdil Dara Odabaşı, Bayrampaşa Mayor Atilla Aydıner, Beşiktaş Deputy Mayor Ali Rıza Yılmaz and consultant Nurhan Palakoğlu, Prince Islands Mayor Erdem Gül and consultant Hovsep Özacar, Bakırköy Mayor Dr. Bülent Kerimoğlu and Hungarian Consul General Laszlo Keller visited also the Patriarchate.
All visitors stated that the Patriarchate is one of the most important institutions with its history and activities. For this reason, the Patriarch was not only concerned with religious affairs, but also had the authority to represent the whole community. So, the conclusion of the election of the Patriarch would lead to positive developments in the Armenian community. The visitors said they were always available to help the Patriarchate.
