NOTE: = 13 =

CHAPTER I. NATIONAL CENTRAL ADMINISTRATION: I. THE PATRIARCH OF KOSTANDNUPOLIS, [HIS] ELECTION AND RESIGNATION

Article 1. The person to be elected Patriarch of Der-i Sa'âdet [Constantinople], possessing the presidency and executive power of all the assemblies of the Nation (*Millet*), and being, under special circumstances, the medium for the execution of the imperial decrees of the Sublime State (*Devlet-i 'Alîye*), must, in order to command the trust and confidence of the whole nation, be endowed with the qualities and dignity fitting for this office in every respect; and, while belonging to the class of bishops traditionally designated for the Patriarchate, he must also be among those persons worthy of the full confidence of the Sublime State, be an original subject of the Sublime State at least from his father’s [time], and have completed the age of thirty-five. Article 2. In the event of the vacancy of the Patriarchal see on account of the death or resignation of the Patriarch, or based on other causes, the spiritual and temporal assemblies, having united, shall decide upon a person to act as vicar (*kaymakam*) and shall petition the Sublime Porte (*Bâb-ı 'Âlî*) for his confirmation. The Patriarch of Der-i Sa'âdet is elected in the General Assembly (*Meclis-i 'Umûmî*); however, the spiritual and temporal assemblies have the right to express their opinion regarding the degree of merit of the elected persons by drawing up a roster of names.

FIRST CHAPTER: Concerning the Manner of Election of the Armenian Patriarch of Der-i Sa‘adet [Constantinople]

Article 1. The Patriarch of Kostandnupolits‘ [Constantinople] is the President of all the [N]ational assemblies, and administers their executive authority; and in special circumstances, he is the intermediary for the execution of the imperial commands of the State. Therefore, the person to be elected Patriarch—in order to be worthy of the trust and respect of the entire [N]ation—must possess all the qualities and merits befitting the Patriarchal [S]ee, and must be of the order of Bishops, who of old have been assigned to the Patriarchate. [He must be] at once worthy of the complete trust of the State, an Ottoman subject at least from [the time of] his father, and have completed thirty-five years of age. Art. 2. When the [S]ee remains vacant by reason of the Patriarch’s decease, resignation, or any other cause, the Religious and Civil assemblies, coming together, shall elect a Locum Tenens (*Tēghapah*), and request his confirmation from the Sublime Porte. The General Assembly elects the Patriarch; but the Religious and Civil assemblies have the right, by means of a list of presentation, to express an opinion on the degree of merit of the candidates. The election of the Patriarch takes place in the following manner: