On February 17, the Episcopal Assembly began its work in the city of St. Pölten, Austria. Participating in the gathering were twenty-five archbishops and bishops of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin of the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church, including representatives from the Armenian Patriarchates of Jerusalem and Constantinople.
In the morning, the participants attended the Sunrise (Arevakal) Service. Following spiritual reflection and prayerful retreat, the Assembly commenced in the afternoon.
The Episcopal Assembly opened with the Lord’s Prayer, followed by a reading from the Epistle of the Apostle Paul to the Ephesians concerning unity. His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, then delivered his paternal message and blessing to the participants online.
Subsequently, messages were also conveyed 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.
After discussion and approval of the agenda, the Presidium was elected to conduct the further proceedings of the Episcopal Assembly.
On the same day, an Evening Service was held at the Mother Cathedral of St. Pölten with the participation of the bishops. On that occasion, Bishop Alois Schwarz, head of the Roman Catholic Diocese of St. Pölten, extended his words of greeting to them.
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