Amid the ongoing process for the election of a new Patriarch of the Georgian Orthodox Church, Metropolitan Grigol of Poti and Khobi has called for unity, restraint, and a spirit of ecclesiastical responsibility, urging that the current electoral period not resemble ordinary political contests.
Speaking during a sermon, Metropolitan Grigol expressed concern over the tone of the pre-election atmosphere, noting that tensions, accusations, and divisions have begun to emerge even within the Church. He emphasized that such behavior contradicts the spiritual nature of the process, particularly as the Church prepares to elect its new spiritual leader.
“We often become angry when we are treated unjustly or slandered,” he said, adding that similar troubling phenomena are now visible during what he described as a sacred campaign. He stressed that the election of the Patriarch should not mirror secular elections, where competition and division prevail. Instead, he urged the faithful and clergy alike to approach the process with humility and unity.
The Metropolitan underlined that all three candidates for the Patriarchal Throne are members of the same Church and share a common faith and mission. “They are not representatives of different parties, religions, or interests,” he noted. “They are all hierarchs of our Church and an inseparable part of our unity.”
He further called on the faithful to listen carefully, respect the process, and accept its outcome with maturity. Regardless of who is ultimately elected, he stressed, the life of the Church must continue in unity. “However this process ends, we must all continue to live and exist together,” he said.
According to the Holy Synod’s decision, three candidates have been selected for the Patriarchal election: Metropolitan Shio (Mujiri) of Senaki and Chkhorotsku, who serves as Locum Tenens of the Patriarchal Throne; Metropolitan Iob of Urbnisi and Ruisi; and Metropolitan Grigol of Poti and Khobi.
As stated by Archpriest Andria Jagmaidze, head of the Patriarchate’s Public Relations Service, Metropolitan Shio received 20 votes during the Synod’s deliberations, while the other two candidates each received 7 votes.
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