Armenian church says preparations underway for bishops' assembly in Austria

Preparations are underway for the Assembly of Bishops of the Armenian Apostolic Church scheduled to take place in Austria later this month, a senior church official said on Saturday.

“We cannot provide further details at this point. Organizational work is underway and the commission will respond to all questions,” Fr. Yesayi Artenyan, director of the Information Department of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, told reporters.

The assembly, convened at the invitation of Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II, is set to be held in the Austrian city of St. Pölten on February 16-19.

The gathering had initially been scheduled for December 10-12, 2025, to review recent developments surrounding the Armenian Apostolic Church and issues related to internal church life. However, on December 12 the Mother See announced that the meeting would be postponed temporarily.

At the time, the church cited the current situation in Armenia, including what it described as “repressions against clergy, including arrests,” and said the postponement followed requests from bishops.

On January 19, Fr. Yesayi Artenyan confirmed that the assembly would instead be held in St. Pölten.

Armenian authorities have imposed travel restrictions on six bishops and archbishops who are members of the Supreme Spiritual Council, barring them from leaving the country. They are expected to participate in the assembly remotely.