What is known about the assembly of Bishops held in Austria
On February 17, the Assembly of Bishops commenced in the city of Sankt Polten, Austria, with the participation of 23 archbishops and bishops of the Catholicosate of All Armenians of the Holy Armenian Apostolic Church, including representatives from the Armenian Patriarchates of Jerusalem and Constantinople.
In the morning, the participants took part in the Sunrise Service. Following spiritual reflection and prayerful seclusion, the working session of the assembly began in the afternoon.
The Assembly of Bishops opened with the Lord’s Prayer, followed by a reading on unity from Apostle Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians. Subsequently, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, delivered his paternal words and message to the participants online.
Messages were also conveyed to the participants by His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia; His Beatitude Archbishop Nourhan Manougian, Armenian Patriarch of Jerusalem; and His Beatitude Archbishop Sahak Mashalian, Armenian Patriarch of Constantinople.
Following the discussion and approval of the agenda, the secretariat (divan) was elected to manage the further proceedings of the Assembly of Bishops.
On the same day, an Evening Service was held at the Sankt Pölten Cathedral with the participation of the bishops. On the occasion of the service, a welcoming address was delivered to those present by His Excellency Bishop Alois Schwarz, leader of the Diocese of Sankt Pölten of the Catholic Church.
