Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Istanbul (Agenzia Fides) - Prayers continue to pour in for the recovery of Archbishop Mesrob II Matufyan, the Armenian Orthodox patriarch in Turkey who had to withdraw from the duties of the patriarchate due to his illness. The patriarch, has undergone treatment for Alzheimer since 2008 and is kept alive thanks to artificial respiration and feeding. Last week, the Armenian Patriarchate of Istanbul held three days of prayer and fasting for the health of the Patriarch. The patriarch, was photographed for the first time in six years at the hospital. The photo shows the patriarch in his hospital bed surrounded by Armenian Orthodox bishops. Under Turkish laws and patriarchate rules, a new patriarch cannot be elected while his predecessor is alive. Since 2008, the ordinary administration of the Patriarchate and the patriarchal functions are exercised by Archbishop Aram Atesyan, Patriarchal Vicar. (GV) (Agenzia Fides 20/10/2014)
