The AAC does not intend to cancel its meeting in Austria due to the Catholicos' travel ban.

The meeting in Austria will take place regardless of the travel ban imposed on Catholicos Garegin II and other church representatives, representatives of the Armenian Apostolic Church stated, calling for the cases against the priests to be dropped.

As reported by the "Caucasian Knot," the Prosecutor General's Office of Armenia initiated criminal proceedings against Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin II, and he is banned from leaving the country. Previously, six clergymen of the Armenian Apostolic Church were summoned to the investigative department as defendants in a criminal case and banned from leaving the country, amid the announcement of a bishops' conference in Austria. The Church accused the Armenian authorities of interfering in internal affairs and violating human rights.

The Church is steadfast, we will not retreat, stated Archbishop Nathan Hovhannisyan, Director of the Department of External Relations and Protocol of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.

The authorities have one goal: to replace the Catholicos of All Armenians, which is beyond their authority.

"This is a program against the Church, and they are trying in every way to prove that the Church should become an appendage of the state, which must continue the will of the ruling authorities. However, the Church is steadfast, we will not retreat, and we will preserve what the Armenian Church has created and preserved. "The authorities have one goal: to replace the Catholicos of All Armenians, which is beyond their authority," News.Am quoted him as saying.

The bishops' assembly will take place, Archbishop Haykazun Najarian stated, but did not specify its format, the agency writes.

Hovhannisyan said that in any case, the bishops will gather in Austria. "Naturally, in the absence of the Catholicos of All Armenians, the status of the Bishops' Council will change slightly. It will become a meeting of bishops, where our bishops will gather and discuss various issues of concern to our Church, and, in particular, the current situation," Armenia Today quoted him as saying.

He clarified that if the meeting is held, there is no need to ensure a quorum, and it does not make decisions. The Archbishop emphasized that no one can prohibit bishops from gathering anywhere and holding not only a meeting, but a council headed by the Catholicos. He called statements about the inadmissibility of holding the council outside of Armenia far-fetched.

What is happening is also a manifestation of disrespect for millions of believers and for the centuries-old institution that has been and remains the unshakable pillar of Armenian statehood.

The Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin strongly condemned The Prosecutor General's Office of the Republic of Armenia has initiated criminal proceedings against His Holiness Garegin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, as well as a ban on His Holiness leaving the Republic of Armenia.

"These actions against the Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians are unfounded and illegal and are clearly political in nature. Through their clearly unconstitutional and illegal interference in the internal life of the Church, the authorities are hindering the pastoral ministry of the Supreme Patriarch. What is happening also demonstrates disrespect for millions of believers and for the centuries-old institution that has been and remains the unshakable pillar of Armenian statehood." The Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin calls for an immediate review of the illegal decisions taken against the Catholicos of All Armenians, six bishops – members of the Supreme Spiritual Council, as well as the secretary, since they lead to a split in society and undermine the prestige and authority of our native state,” the AAC statement, which was posted by Aysor.Am, reads.

The "Caucasian Knot" also wrote that the brother and nephew of Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin II, Gevork Nersisyan and Hambardzum Nersisyan, were detained on charges of obstructing a campaign and hooliganism in November 2025. Both were arrested.

We remind you that the Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan On January 4, announced plans for the "improvement" of the Armenian Apostolic Church, which include the removal of Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin II, the adoption of a new charter, and the election of a new head of the church.