After suffering from a long illness, Armenian Patriarch of Constantinople Mesrob Mutafyan has passed away in Istanbul, reports the Armenian Louys magazine of Istanbul.
The patriarch had been bed-ridden for years and couldn’t perform his duties. Upon the decision of the Turkish government, Archbishop Aram Atesyan is performing the patriarch’s duties.
Mesrob II Mutafyan, the 84th Armenian Patriarch of Turkey, has lost his life. It has been reported that Mutafyan died today (March 8) in Yedikule Surp Pırgiç Armenian Hospital in İstanbul, where he was receiving treatment.
The official statement regarding the funeral ceremony will be made by the Armenian Patriarchate later in the day.
62-year-old Mutafyan was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in July 2008.
Paylan: He was our spiritual leader in hard times
Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) Diyarbakır MP Garo Paylan has spoken to bianet about the death of Mutafyan. Paylan has said, “Mesrob Mutafyan was our spiritual leader as the Armenian Patriarch in very difficult times.
“He was in a vegetative state for a really long time; we have unfortunately lost him. He will always be on our minds as a spiritual leader, whom we will always remember. I extend my condolences, may he rest in peace…”
Bakar: I feel like we are completely abandoned now
Lawyer Luiz Bakar, who was a spokesperson for the Armenian Patriarchate when Mutafyan was in charge, has also spoken to bianet about his death:
“He was a very valuable person for the society, for the country, has was always beneficial. Unfortunately, we have lost him at a very young age.
“We have fallen apart since the onset of his illness. I feel like we are completely abandoned now.”
Tatyos Bebek: He was a unifying patriarch
Tatyos Bebek, a member of the Thinking Platform and a dentist, has also said, “It is a great loss for the Armenian community in Turkey, he was an irreplaceable person. He was a uniting, unifying patriarch carrying Turkey’s gradually diminishing Armenian community onward.”