NOTE: * Khatt-i Hümayun, 6/18 February 1856

PREAMBLE

The privileges granted by the Ottoman State to its non-Mohammedan subjects are equal in principle for all; yet the manner of their execution is disposed in a particular way in each nation, according to the requirements of their own specific customs. The Armenian Patriarch is the head of his nation and, in particular circumstances, the intermediary for the execution of the State’s commands. However, there are established in the Patriarchate a Religious Assembly for religious affairs and a Civil Assembly for civil affairs. These two Assemblies, uniting upon necessity, constitute a Mixed Assembly. Both the Patriarch and the members of these two Assemblies are elected in a General Assembly composed of honorable persons of the nation. Whereas the office and duties of the said Assemblies, as well as the manner of their composition, have not been defined by adequate regulations, and for this reason diverse improprieties, and especially manifold difficulties concerning the formation of the General Assembly, have been witnessed; Whereas, according to the Imperial Rescript* concerning reforms, each community, having examined within a specified time the privileges and immunities it possesses, and having deliberated upon the reforms demanded by the exigencies of the times, the fruits of civilization, and the present enlightened state—

NOTE: * Hatt-ı Hümayun, [issued in the] first ten days of Jemazi-ul-akhir, 1272 [A.H.] 2

PREAMBLE

Although the privileges bestowed by the Sublime Porte upon its non-Muslim subjects are in principle based upon equality for all, the manner of their execution has assumed a distinct form within each nation [*millet*], in accordance with the requirements of its specific customs and practices. The Armenian Patriarch is the head of his nation and, in specific circumstances, the instrument for executing the decrees of the Sublime Porte; yet, at the Patriarchate, there is a Spiritual Council for spiritual affairs and a Temporal Council for temporal affairs. When necessary, these two councils unite and convene as a Mixed Council. Both the Patriarch and the members of these councils are elected in a General Assembly composed of the notables of the nation. Inasmuch as there have been no sufficient regulations concerning the duties and the manner of formation of these councils, various irregularities have arisen, and all manner of difficulties have been encountered, particularly in the formation of the General Assembly; and whereas, pursuant to the provisions of the Imperial Edict of Reform [*Islahat Fermânı*], each community was to proceed within a specified period to an examination of its existing privileges and immunities, and, having deliberated, to submit such reforms as are necessitated by the times, the advances of civilization, and acquired knowledge; and [whereas] the authority and power conferred upon the spiritual leaders...

NOTE: * *Hatt-ı Hümayun* [Imperial Rescript], the beginning [first ten days] of Jumada al-Akhir, 1272 [A.H.] 2