At the invitation of Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II, the Bishops' Synod of the Armenian Apostolic Church will be held from February 16 to 19 in Saint Polten, Austria.

The Armenian authorities, however, have imposed a travel ban on six bishops and an archbishop, members of the Supreme Spiritual Council.

But remote participation in the aforesaid Bishops' Synod cannot pose a problem in terms of legitimacy and challenging the decisions made.

A Bishops' Synod was to be convened on December 10-12, 2025, to examine the latest developments surrounding the Armenian Apostolic Church and matters related to intra-church life.

On December 12, however, the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin announced that the convening of this Bishops' Synod was being postponed due to “the current situation in Armenia, in particular the repressions against clergy, including arrests.”

And on January 19, 2026, Father Yesayi Artenyan, Director of the Information Department of the Mother See, announced that the Bishops’ Synod will take place in Saint Polten, Austria, from February 16 to 19.