NOTE: = 52 =

CHAPTER FOUR: CONCERNING THE PRELACIES

Art. 94. The Prelate is the president of the Provincial Assemblies and exercises their executive power. It is his duty to oversee the execution of the National Constitution in the province. Art. 95. The Prelate shall not be permitted to absent himself from the seat of his office by taking up residence in monasteries; rather, he shall reside at the national Prelacy in the principal city of the province, where the Provincial Assemblies also convene. When a Prelate is at the same time an Abbot, if the monastery is only one day's journey distant from the diocesan seat, he may administer both offices together, visiting the monastery from time to time. But if the distance be more than a day's journey, he must appoint a vicar for himself in the monastery and reside in the city. He may, however, go on a visitation to every part of his diocese whenever necessary. Art. 96. As in Constantinople, so also in the Provinces, every parish shall have a PARISH COUNCIL, a PARISH TREASURY, and a PARISH CHANCERY. Likewise, in the Diocesan Seat, RELIGIOUS and CIVIL ASSEMBLIES shall be established; and under the administration of the Civil Assembly, a PROVINCIAL TREASURY,

CHAPTER IV: CONCERNING THE PRELACIES

**Article Ninety-Four.** The *Marhasa*s [diocesan prelates] possess the presidency and the executive power of the National Councils convened within their own jurisdiction. Their duties consist of supervising the execution of the provisions of the fundamental principles of this Regulation. **Article Ninety-Five.** The *Marhasa*s shall not reside in monasteries, but rather shall reside in the headquarters of their diocese, in the residences where the Diocesan Councils assemble and meet; and it shall not be permissible for them to depart from their place of service. However, in the event that a *Marhasa* is among the abbots of a monastery, if his monastery is situated at a distance of only one day’s journey from his place of residence, he may perform both of his offices concurrently, so as to inspect his monastery from time to time; but if his monastery is at a distance of more than one day’s journey, it is necessary that he appoint a deputy in his stead and reside himself at his place of service. Nonetheless, when necessity arises, he may travel to any place within his diocese. **Article Ninety-Six.** Just as is the case in *Der-i Sa‘adet* [Constantinople], in the provinces as well, in like manner as every church congregation possesses a church council, a treasury, and also a chancellery, so too there shall be at the diocesan headquarters a Spiritual Council and a Civil Council, and a Treasury to be under the administration of this Civil Council.