NOTE: = 23 =

...in the manner done by the Ecclesiastical General Assembly of Kostandnupolits for [the Patriarch of Constantinople]; but it is required that this list to be presented by the Brotherhood contain the names of at least seven candidates. This list, accompanied by an official report signed by the Brotherhood, shall be sent to the Patriarchate of Kostandnupolits. Art. 22. The person to be elected Patriarch of S[urb] Erusaghēm must have completed at least thirty-five years of age, be a subject of the Ottoman Empire by birth, and be from among the bishops or vardapets of the Brotherhood; at the same time, he must not be someone who has separated himself from the Brotherhood. Those persons who, with the consent of the Patriarch of Erusaghēm, have been employed in national service by the Councils of the Patriarchate shall not be considered as separated from the Brotherhood. Art. 23. The Religious and Political Councils, forming a Mixed Council, shall examine the merits of the persons mentioned in the aforesaid list, and, determining three candidates, shall present their names to the General Assembly. The list received from the Brotherhood shall also remain hung in the hall of the General Assembly. The General Assembly, having learned the opinions both of the Brotherhood and of the two National Councils concerning the candidates, shall elect from among them—by secret ballot—the person possessing the highest merit in respect of religion, learning, and good conduct. [Armeno-Turkish version of the same text:] ...the general [assembly] being convened, this assembly—in the same manner as executed in the Ecclesiastical General Assembly regarding the Patriarch of Der-i Saadet—shall draw up a register of names. However, it is necessary that this register comprise the names of at least seven individuals. The aforesaid register, together with a signed official report of the aforesaid congregation, shall be dispatched to the direction of the Patriarchate of Der-i Saadet. Twenty-second Article. The person to be elected Patriarch is required to have completed at least thirty-five years of age, to be from among the subjects of the Sublime Porte from [the time of] his father, to be from among the bishops or monks of the aforesaid congregation, and not to have separated from the aforesaid congregation. Those who, with the assent of the Patriarch of Kuds-i Şerif, have been employed in a national service by the councils of the Patriarchate of Der-i Saadet shall not be deemed separated from the aforesaid congregation. Twenty-third Article. The Spiritual and Corporeal Councils, uniting together and duly investigating the merits of the individuals whose names are contained in the aforesaid register, shall select three individuals in order to be eligible for election, and shall present their names to the General Assembly. And since the register arriving from the side of the aforesaid congregation shall also be hung up in the National General Assembly, the General Assembly, acquiring knowledge of the opinions both of the aforesaid congregation and of the aforesaid two councils concerning the eligible persons, [shall elect] from among the aforementioned individuals...