LAST UPDATE: 20:14
Andria Jaghmaidze, Head of the Georgian Orthodox Church’s Public Relations Service, announced that bishops of the Georgian Orthodox Church convened on Thursday to finalize the date and procedural framework for the upcoming Extended Ecclesiastical Council that will elect the new Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia on May 11, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. in Tbilisi, at the Holy Trinity Patriarchal Cathedral.
Read also:
The Nominees for the Patriarchal Throne of Georgia
The announcement of the Patriarchate of Georgia on the formation of the Triprosopon
Georgia: Metropolitan of Poti and Khobi calls for unity ahead of Patriarchal Election
Speaking to the local media, Jaghmaidze explained that the bishops focused on resolving all outstanding procedural matters in advance so that the Extended Council itself could be devoted entirely to the patriarchal election process.
“A great many matters, the procedural sequence of events, ensuring that everything is unambiguously defined, required deliberation,” he stated. “That is precisely what today’s meeting of bishops was dedicated to.”
According to Jaghmaidze, the question of delegates was also discussed. It was agreed that representatives from the dioceses of the three patriarchal candidates — one representative per diocese — will be permitted to address the Council. While delegates are not formally prohibited from speaking, the bishops considered this arrangement more practical due to the large number of participants.
He further clarified the voting procedure for the election. If one of the three candidates secures more than fifty percent of the votes — namely twenty votes out of the thirty-nine bishops — no second round will be necessary.
“If none of the candidates receives twenty votes, then a ballot will be held between the two leading candidates, and the thirty-nine bishops will choose between those two,” Jaghmaidze explained.
Responding to questions about transparency, he noted that the Extended Council would not be broadcast live, though a recording of the proceedings would be released afterward.
Jaghmaidze also stated that the enthronement date of the newly elected Patriarch would be determined after the election itself, since the new Patriarch traditionally decides the timing of the enthronement ceremony.
Addressing recent allegations and speculation surrounding the candidates, the Church spokesman rejected claims of division within the Holy Synod.
“The public is accustomed to secular elections and the confrontations that tend to accompany them. That is not what happens within the Synod,” he said. Although he acknowledged that “some intemperate remarks and emotionally charged comments” had occurred, he stressed that the bishops remain united in their determination to conduct the election “in an exemplary and worthy manner.”
“Any attempts to portray division among the bishops are simply unfounded,” Jaghmaidze concluded.
Metropolitan Nikoloz: Extended Council to be attended by some 1,500 delegates
Metropolitan Nikoloz Pachuashvili of the Akhalkalaki and Kumurdo Diocese has spoken to Georgian media about the Extended Council of the Georgian Orthodox Church, due to be convened on May 11.
As Metropolitan Nikoloz noted, the Extended Council will be attended by some 1,500 delegates; however, they will have no right to vote or to express opinions.
“The question of delegates has largely been settled. It was stated that every diocese must submit a list in advance. I have submitted mine. Admission to the Council will be based on these lists; everyone will have their own identity document. The lists will be verified, and delegates will then be admitted to the Council. Two priests are to attend from each diocese. In addition, two representatives from each monastery. I submitted two persons per monastery as instructed. Not a single delegate will be a decision-maker. I believe these delegates are present primarily to ensure the Council is conducted in a transparent, public setting. Frankly, it would have been altogether better had the whole thing been broadcast live, in which case delegates would not have been needed at all.
The delegates will not be expressing opinions. Initially, it was announced that delegates would be allowed to speak. However, upon further calculation, we realised there are at least 1,500 delegates in total, making it physically impossible for everyone to have their say. In all likelihood, their function will be to attend the Council as observers,” Metropolitan Nikoloz stated.
Who are the three candidates (triprosopon)
According to the announcement issued by the Patriarchate of Georgia, the Holy Synod selected three final candidates (triprosopon) from an initial list of six nominees. The candidates are Shio Mujiri, currently serving as Locum Tenens of the Patriarchal Throne, Job Akiashvili, and Gregory Berbichashvili.
During the secret ballot held by the Synod, Metropolitan Shio received 20 votes, while Metropolitans Job and Gregory each secured seven votes.
The upcoming election follows the death of Ilia II, one of the most influential religious leaders in Georgia’s modern history.
Metropolitan Shio: Let us intensify our prayers ahead of this historic moment
Speaking during his homily on the feast day of Saint George, Metropolitan Shio called yesterday on clergy, monastic communities, and the faithful to intensify their prayers ahead of what he described as a historic moment for the Georgian Church.
“Next week we will have to hold a great expanded ecclesiastical Synod, where the new Catholicos-Patriarch must be elected,” Metropolitan Shio stated. He urged believers to pray so that the process would unfold “worthily, peacefully, and with love,” allowing God’s will to guide the final decision for the benefit of both the Church and the Georgian nation.
He also encouraged the faithful to seek the intercession of Saint George for wisdom and spiritual guidance during the election process.
Under the statute governing the Georgian Orthodox Church, only hierarchs participate in the vote to elect the Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia. The candidate receiving more than half of the votes cast by participating hierarchs is elected Patriarch.
The election procedure is regulated by the statute adopted at the 13th Expanded Council of the Georgian Orthodox Church, held at Svetitskhoveli Cathedral on September 18–19, 1995.
The election is expected to draw significant attention across the Orthodox Christian world, as the new patriarch will inherit leadership of one of the oldest Orthodox Churches and play a key role in both religious and public life in Georgia.
