Armenian church official says efforts underway to disrupt bishops' assembly

A senior Armenian Apostolic Church official said on Monday that efforts are being made to disrupt the planned Assembly of Bishops, citing travel restrictions imposed on several bishops.

Archbishop Nathan Hovhannisyan, director of external relations and protocol at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, told reporters he could not say whether the assembly would take place, noting that six bishops who are members of the Supreme Spiritual Council have been barred from leaving the country.

“The Assembly of Bishops must have a quorum and the physical presence of bishops,” Hovhannisyan said, adding that the situation posed a serious obstacle. “Apparently, everything is being done to disrupt, undermine or prevent the assembly.”

Asked whether bishops unable to travel could join the meeting remotely, Hovhannisyan said no decision had yet been made, as the developments were recent and required discussion.

Responding to questions about possible disciplinary action against bishops who have supported Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s campaign for “church reforms”, Hovhannisyan said no such discussions had taken place so far and that any decisions would be made public.

The Assembly of Bishops, convened by Catholicos Karekin II, was initially scheduled for December 10-12, 2025, to address recent developments surrounding the Armenian Apostolic Church and internal church matters, but was postponed amid pressure and arrests targeting clergy. Church officials later announced that the assembly would be held in St. Pölten, Austria, on February 16-19.