NOTE: = 24 =

[... by vote] and by an absolute majority of the ballots. In the General Assembly, no vote can be cast for any person outside of the list presented by the Brotherhood.

D. NATIONAL RELIGIOUS ASSEMBLY

Art. 24. The Religious Assembly shall consist of fourteen competent ecclesiastics, who must be at least thirty years of age, and ordained for at least five years past. Art. 25. The General Assembly of the Clergy shall, by secret ballot, elect three times the number of members of the National Religious Assembly, and shall present the names of the candidates to the National General Assembly by a signed report. The General Assembly, in its turn, shall elect the members of the Religious Assembly from among them by secret ballot. The report shall be presented by the Patriarch to the Sublime Porte; and the members of the Religious Assembly thus elected shall be confirmed by Imperial decree. Art. 26. The Religious Assembly shall be dissolved in its entirety once every two years at the end of April, and renewed at the beginning of May. The members of this Assembly are not immediately eligible for re-election; but after [the passage of] two years, they may be elected anew. [The General Assembly] shall elect as Patriarch, by secret ballot and an absolute majority of votes, the person most worthy by virtue of his competence, acquired knowledge, and commendable conduct. In the General Assembly, no vote may be cast for any person outside the list submitted by the aforementioned community.

Concerning the Spiritual Council.

Art. 24. The Religious Assembly consists of fourteen competent ecclesiastics, who must have completed at least thirty years [of age] and have been ordained for at least five years. Art. 25. The General Assembly of the Clergy, by secret ballot, elects thrice the number of members of the National Religious Assembly, and presents the names of the eligible [candidates] to the National General Assembly through a signed list. The General Assembly, from among them, likewise elects the members of the Religious Assembly by secret ballot. The report [thereof] is submitted by the Patriarch to the Sublime Porte; and the members of the Religious Assembly thus elected are confirmed by Imperial decree. Art. 26. The Religious Assembly is dissolved in its entirety once every two years at the end of April, and is renewed at the beginning of May. The members of this Assembly are not immediately re-eligible; but after two years, they may be elected anew. [The General Assembly] shall elect as Patriarch, by secret ballot and an absolute majority of votes, that person who is most worthy by reason of capability, acquired knowledge, and good conduct. In the General Assembly, no vote may be cast for anyone outside the list submitted by the aforementioned congregation.