The Holy Assembly of the Armenian Apostolic Church (AAC) will take place from February 16 to 19 in St. Pölten, Austria, marking the first time since 1956 that the key church gathering is held outside Armenia. This decision was made public by the press service of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin amidst escalating conflicts between church leadership and the Armenian government.

Originally scheduled for December 2025 in Etchmiadzin—the spiritual center of the AAC—the Assembly has been postponed to February 2026 and ultimately moved abroad. Etchmiadzin officials stated that church rules allow the Assembly to convene in any country, and the choice of Austria is linked to concerns over pressure on clergy within Armenia.

Invitations have been extended to all 56 bishops of the Armenian Apostolic Church, who represent dioceses both in Armenia and the diaspora. It is expected that Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II will participate in the Assembly.

The decision to hold the Assembly overseas has faced sharp criticism from a faction of bishops supportive of Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. These bishops announced they would not attend the Assembly, labeling the move abroad as an "adventure" that they believe undermines both the church and state. They argue that discussions on church matters should exclusively occur in Etchmiadzin.

Tensions between the Armenian authorities and the Armenian Apostolic Church have intensified significantly in 2025. Prime Minister Pashinyan has publicly criticized church leadership and proposed reforms to the election of the Catholicos, increasing the state's role in church affairs. Several high-ranking bishops and church administration staff, along with businesspersons and benefactors who have publicly defended the church, have been arrested amid this turmoil.

The confrontation escalated further in late November when a group of bishops accused Catholicos Karekin II of covering up "unacceptable actions" by one of the archbishops and called for his voluntary resignation. In early January 2026, the Prime Minister announced the creation of a coordinating council for the "reformation" of the Armenian Apostolic Church and signed a "roadmap" with some bishops.