Archbishop Aram Ateshian, General Vicar (Acting Patriarch) of the Armenian Patriarch of Constantinople wrote letter to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan according to the demands of the representatives of the Armenian community and philanthropists, the statement spread by the Religious Council of the Armenian Patriarchy of Constantinople reads.
The Council particularly mentions that during its whole history Patriarchy of Constantinople has been trying to establish friendly relations with the country's authorities exerting efforts not to neglect the public opinion especially in such sensitive issues. Aram Ateshyan took the obligation to present the community's opinion, as Patriarch Mesrob Mutafyan is ill. Thus, he wrote the letter in correspondence with the demands of the representatives of the community, philanthropists, following the example of numerous predecessors, the Council notes.
Members of the Council urged representatives of the Armenian society to display prudence and composure and to consider the letter seriously taking into consideration political and social conditions in Turkey.
To note, Aram Ateshian will visit Armenia on June 22 to attend the meeting of the Supreme Spiritual Council and the events to be organized on the occasion of Pope Francis' visit to Armenia. A public initiative objecting to Aram Ateshian's visit has already been created on Facebook. A group of activists will go to the airport to prevent his entry to the country. To recall, earlier Ateshian wrote a letter to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. In his letter, Ateshian criticized the German Bundestag resolution on recognition of the Armenian Genocide, and apologized for that resolution. According to him, Bundestag's decision caused indignation of the Armenians worldwide.