Bishop Sahak Mashalian Has Been Elected The 85Th Armenian Patriarch Of Constantinople

Bishop Mashalian was elected by special delegates composed of representatives of both the clergy and secular circles, who in turn were elected by the patriarchate’s synod and the local Armenian community of Istanbul respectively.

The position of the Patriarch was vacant after Patriarch Mesrob II passed away on March, 2019. Mesrob Mutafyan was elected the 84th Armenian Patriarch of Constantinople on 14 October, 1998. In 2008, the patriarchate announced that Mesrob II was suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. He withdrew from all his duties and public life, but formally remained the Patriarch.

The Diocesan Primate Archbishop Hovnan Derderian has sent a congratulatory letter to the newly elected Patriarch wishing him a fruitful ministry in his service to the Armenian Church and the flock of Christ.