Serzh Sargsyan Congratulated Newly Elected Patriarch Of Jerusalem

SERZH SARGSYAN CONGRATULATED NEWLY ELECTED PATRIARCH OF JERUSALEM

14:55, 30 January, 2013

YEREVAN, JANUARY 30, ARMENPRESS. The President of the Republic of
Armenia Serzh Sargsyan sent a congratulatory address to the newly
elected Armenian Patriarch of Jerusalem Archbishop Nourhan Manoogian
on the occasion of his election as a Patriarch.

The Press Office of the President of the Republic of Armenia informed
“Armenpress” that the congratulatory address runs as follows:

“Let Your faith and dedication reinforce our Church’s Hierarchical
See of Jerusalem and Armenian presence in the holy land, which has
age-old history and rich traditions.

Taking into consideration the unique mission of the Armenian Holy
Apostolic Church in the life of our people the Republic of Armenia is
willing to discuss and in case of necessity to assist Your historical
See in preservation of the Armenian cultural heritage and handing it
over to the future generations.”

The Grand Sacristan of the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem
Archbishop Nourhan Manoogian has been elected the Armenian Patriarch
of Jerusalem. Solely celibate members of the convent could participate
in the patriarchal elections. The patriarchal election was held in
two stages. Five candidates were chosen in the first stage of the
elections by secret polling. In accordance with the Statute of the
Jerusalem Convent (1882) 35 year old archimandrites and bishops can
become patriarchal candidates. The patriarchal throne remained vacant
since Armenian Patriarch of Jerusalem Rev. Archbishop Torkom Manoukyan
passed away after the long illness at the age of 93.

From: A. Papazian