Bishops' meetings in Etchmiadzin to start on Thursday

The crisis concerning the patriarchal election that was emerged after the resignation of the Head of Clerical Assembly Bishop Sahak Maşalyan is expected to take on a new course after the meetings that will be held with Catholicos Karekin II in Etchmiadzin. 

The meetings, in which Bishop Sahak Maşalyan, General Vicar of the Patriarch Aram Ateşyan and Primate Diocese of the Armenian Church of Germany Karekin Bekdjian will participate, are expected to start on Thursday.

After resignation of Maşalyan, a group of foundation executives came together with Ateşyan and Maşalyan on February 16 and signed a protocol. Other foundation executives and representatives of Armenian society severely reacted against this protocol, since it approves the continuation of the vicarship of Ateşyan. Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II also reacted against this decision and invited Maşalyan, Ateşyan and Bekdjian to Etchmiadzin. 

It is reported that the meetings, which was expected to be started on Tuesday, are postponed to Thursday.