A commission on election of new Patriarch of Constantinople gathered in Istanbul on December 21. The new Patriarch will combine the office with incumbent Mesrob Mutafian, who is unable to carry out his duties because of an illness. The list of candidates will be published soon, commission spokesman Sedrak Davudian said.

Six archbishops - Shahan Svachian, Karekin Baekchian, Khajag Parsamian and Aram Ateshian - are named as possible candidates, Zaman reported.

In early December, the Armenian community of Istanbul requested Mayor Muammer Guler for permission to elect new Patriarch.