Canon 142

1. The patriarch is to convoke the patriarchal assembly, preside at it; and also to transfer, postpone, suspend and dissolve

it; the patriarch himself is to appoint a vice-president, who

presides over the assembly in the absence of the patriarch. 2.

If the patriarchal see becomes vacant, the patriarchal assembly

is suspended by the law itself until the new patriarch issues a

decree on the matter.