LAST UPDATE: 14:33
The historic election process for the new Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia is currently underway, as voting began moments ago at the Holy Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi during the Expanded Council of the Georgian Orthodox Church.
Earlier, the proceedings of the Council opened with prayer and the chanting of a Trisagion service for the repose of the soul of the late Ilia II, marking the emotionally charged beginning of the succession process following the passing of the longtime Primate of the Georgian Church.
“Today we stand before a historic event. Gathered in this magnificent Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, we are fully entrusted to God’s providence so that, in unity and agreement, we may elect the new shepherd of the Georgian Orthodox Apostolic Autocephalous Church,” Metropolitan Shio said.
The Metropolitan noted that the decision carries exceptional responsibility before both God and the Georgian nation, especially “against the backdrop of the storms of contemporary life, great historical experience, and the labors of God-chosen personalities.”
At the same time, he expressed hope and confidence in the future of the Georgian Church.
“With God’s help, the Georgian Orthodox Church — which has always been the unifier of the nation and the defender of the true faith, the Georgian language, traditions, and historical memory — will continue along this path,” Metropolitan Shio said.
He also thanked God that the Church continues its mission “in peace and unity,” before formally declaring open the 14th Ecclesiastical Council of the Georgian Orthodox Church.
The Expanded Council is currently continuing behind closed doors, with bishops of the Georgian Orthodox Church voting to elect the successor to the late Ilia II.
In connection with the event, the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia announced temporary traffic restrictions around the cathedral area in Tbilisi from 9:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m.
According to the authorities, vehicle traffic from Bukhaidze Street toward Samreklo Street will be prohibited. Traffic on parts of Bukhaidze Street will also be partially restricted, with access limited to pedestrians only. Additional traffic measures will apply at Akhvlediani Square, Akhvlediani Ascent, and from Niabi Street toward Gumbri Street.
The election procedure
The Council is scheduled to begin at 1:00 p.m. (Georgia time) and is expected to gather nearly 1,200 delegates. The assembly will include speeches by the three patriarchal candidates, as well as addresses by representatives from various dioceses. A historian will also deliver a presentation on the historical significance of the title of Catholicos-Patriarch of Georgia.
Parts of the proceedings will be broadcast live by the Georgian Public Broadcaster. The opening of the Council, the voting process, and the official announcement of the final results will be televised live, while the session will temporarily close during the counting of votes. The final result will be announced by the chairman of the vote-counting commission, Anania.
Attendance inside the cathedral will be permitted only to individuals included on special lists compiled according to Church regulations. However, the restrictions will not apply to the cathedral courtyard, where members of the public will be allowed to gather during the proceedings.
Only bishops are entitled to participate in the patriarchal vote. To be elected Catholicos-Patriarch, a candidate must receive more than half of the bishops’ votes — in this case, at least 20 votes. If no candidate secures the required majority in the first round, a second round will be held between the two leading candidates.
During the Holy Synod session held on April 28, the bishops selected three candidates for the patriarchal throne: Metropolitan Shio of Senaki and Chkhorotsku, currently serving as Locum Tenens of the Patriarchal Throne, Metropolitan Job of Ruisi and Urbnisi (Akiashvili), and Metropolitan Gregory of Poti and Khobi.
In the Synod’s preliminary vote, Metropolitan Shio received 20 votes, while Metropolitans Job and Gregory each received seven votes.
The election process is governed by the Charter of the Georgian Orthodox Church, adopted during the 13th Extended Ecclesiastical Council held at the Svetitskhoveli Cathedral in September 1995.
The date of the enthronement of the newly elected Patriarch will also be announced today, with the final decision resting with the elected hierarch himself.
The 141st Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, Ilia II, passed away on March 17 at the age of 93.
Georgian Orthodox Church PR Head: Patriarchal election council to air partially live on GPB First Channel
Andria Jagmaidze, head of the Public Relations Service of the Georgian Patriarchate, briefed the Georgian media on the agenda and organizational details of the expanded council of the Georgian Orthodox Church scheduled for May 11.
According to Jagmaidze, guests and delegates will be admitted to the Holy Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
He said the event will be partially broadcast on television through the Georgian Public Broadcaster. The opening of the council and the voting process will air live, while the vote count itself will not be televised. The final announcement of the election result, however, will be broadcast live.
“As you know, according to the Church governance statute, the 14th expanded council is scheduled for tomorrow. During this council, voting will take place to select one of the three Patriarchal candidates. Tomorrow, the Georgian Church will have a new Catholicos-Patriarch, and this is a very significant event,” Jagmaidze stated.
He explained that attendance inside the cathedral will only be permitted through special pre-approved lists compiled in accordance with church regulations. Visitors and delegates must present identification documents for verification.
Jagmaidze also noted that the use of mobile phones during the proceedings will be strictly restricted. While parts of the session will remain closed, the Patriarchate may later release additional footage or information if deemed necessary.
Vehicle access to the area will be limited, while pedestrians will be able to reach the cathedral via Akhvlediani Street and from Avlabari Metro Station. He added that the cathedral courtyard will remain open to the public, with restrictions applying only to entry inside the church building.
Metropolitan Shio: Divine grace essential for conducting patriarchal election dignifiedly
In a sermon, the locum tenens of the Patriarchal Throne and Metropolitan of Senaki and Chkhorotsku Shio Mujiri stated that only through divine grace can the upcoming major ecclesiastical event be conducted “dignifiedly and successfully.”
“We should pray to God to grant us this grace, this living water, so that we are able to make a wise and prudent decision, according to God’s will, beneficial for our Church and our nation,” Mujiri said, according to Georgian media.
He noted that, 49 years after the election of Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia II, many good deeds had been accomplished for the Church and the country, and expressed hope that the upcoming vote would continue Ilia II’s legacy of “faithfulness to the Orthodox Church, service to God, love for the people, unity, peace, and selfless service.”
“May God bless, strengthen, and unify the whole of Georgia,” he added.
The expanded council of the Georgian Orthodox Church, at which the new Patriarch will be elected, is scheduled to take place tomorrow, May 11, at the Holy Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi.
Photos: 1tv.ge
