- Patriarch Mesrob II Mutafyan of Constantinople
Archbishop Mesrob II Mutafyan, also known as Mesrop Mutafyan, (
June 16 ,1956 ,Istanbul ,Turkey ) is the 84thArmenian Patriarch of Constantinople under the authority of theCatholicos of Armenia and of all Armenians .Mesrob Mutafyan graduated from the American High School in
Kornwestheim nearStuttgart ,Germany . From 1974 to 1979, he studiedphilosophy andsociology inMemphis, Tennessee ,United States .On
May 13 ,1979 , he was ordained topriesthood and was commissionedpastor ofKınalıada , one of thePrince's Islands in theSea of Marmara in İstanbul with a small Armenian community. Between 1979 and 1981, he continued his theological studies inJerusalem .On
September 21 ,1986 , Mesrob Mutafyan was elevated to the rank of aBishop inEchmiadzin ,Armenia . From 1982 to 1990, he coordinated the ecumenical relationships of the Patriarchate. He attended thePontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas (Angelicum) inRome, Italy in 1988/1989.In 1993, he was elevated to the rank of
archbishop to serve thediocese of Prince's Islands. From 1997, Mutafyan acted as thevicar general of theArmenian Patriarchate of Constantinople .Following the death of
Patriarch Karekin II Kazanjian of Constantinople , Mesrob Mutafyan was electedlocum tenens onMarch 16 ,1998 to serve as the temporary leader of the Church until an election is held. Even though the Turkish local authorities demanded Archbishop ofÜsküdar Şahan Sıvaciyan, the retired longest-serving archbishop, should succeed, Mesrob Mutafyan was finally elected the 84th Armenian Patriarch of Constantinople onOctober 14 ,1998 and could take office.During his apostolic journey to Turkey,
Pope Benedict XVI visited also theSurp Asdvadzadzin Patriarchal Church inKumkapı , İstanbul, where he attended a religious ceremony and held later talks with Patriarch Mesrob II onNovember 30 ,2006 .External links
* [http://www.biyografi.net/kisiayrinti.asp?kisiid=996 Who is who] tr icon
* [http://www.hyetert.com/haber3.asp?AltYazi=Haberler+%5C%3E+G%FCncel&Id=17419&DilId=1 Interview with Patriarch Mesrob II] tr icon
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