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Metropolitan Ilarioni of Mestia and Zemo Svaneti said that today’s Holy Synod meeting reviewed procedural and organizational issues.
Following the meeting, he remarked that the next meeting of the Holy Synod would consider organizational issues again and select patriarchal candidates.
Responding to the question about any changes to the eligibility of the shortlisted candidates, Metropolitan Ilarioni stated that nothing has changed yet regarding a candidate’s age. At the same time, education-related issues were not discussed at today’s meeting.
Metropolitan Ilarioni further explained that the extended meeting of the Georgian Orthodox Church (GOC) would be held at Sameba (Holy Trinity) Cathedral.
The Holy Synod meeting, which will select patriarchal candidates, will be held 40 days after the death of the Catholicos-Patriarch. The Holy Synod will present three candidates to the extended meeting. The date will be finalized at the next meeting of the Holy Synod.
Statement of the Patriarchate of Georgia
On April 3, 2026, a session of the Holy Synod of the Georgian Orthodox Church was held.
The session began with a memorial service for the soul of the late Catholicos-Patriarch of Georgia, Ilia II, conducted by the Locum Tenens of the Patriarchal Throne, Metropolitan Shio of Senaki and Tskhorotsku, together with the members of the Holy Synod.
Subsequently, the session of the Holy Synod was formally opened by the Locum Tenens of the Patriarchal Throne, Metropolitan Shio of Senaki and Tskhorotsku.
In his address, Metropolitan Shio emphasized the work and services of Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia II for the Church and the nation. He expressed gratitude to the members of the Holy Synod, the clergy, the civil authorities, and the Georgian people for the love they showed toward the Patriarch, and he requested the Church’s and the nation’s prayers to preserve unity and to ensure that the election process is conducted according to God’s will.
Metropolitan Andria of Gori and Ateni was elected Secretary of the session.
Metropolitan Sio presented to the Holy Synod the following procedural election proposals, in accordance with the 1995 Statute of Administration of the Georgian Orthodox Church:
- Regulations for the selection of candidates for the Patriarchate (three candidates) – draft working document.
- Procedural matters for the election of the Catholicos-Patriarch by the Expanded Synod of the Georgian Autocephalous Church – draft working document.
- Formation of the following committees: Counting Committee, Competence Committee, and Editorial Committee, to ensure a fair, transparent, and organized election process.
On these matters, the following expressed their opinions:
- Archbishop Zenon of Dmanisi and Agarak Tashir
- Metropolitan Savvas of Khoni and Samtredia
- Metropolitan Ananias of Mtskheta-Maghlisi and Tetritskaro
- Metropolitan Grigorios of Phasida and Khobi
- Metropolitan Nikolaos of Akhalkalaki, Kumurdo, and Kars
- Metropolitan Theodoros of Akhaltsikhe and Tao-Klareti
- Metropolitan David of Alaverdi
- Bishop Georgios of Tqibuli and Terjola
- Metropolitan Stephanos of Tsageri and Lentekhi
- Archbishop Iakovos of Bodbe
- Bishop Dositheos of Bondbe
- Metropolitan Isaias of Nikoz and Tskhinvali
- Metropolitan Ioannis of Kutaisi-Gaenati
- Metropolitan Iosef of Semokmedi
- Metropolitan Daniil of Tskaltubo and Sachkhere
- Bishop Vakhtangi of Nikortsminda
- Metropolitan Andria of Gori and Ateni
- Metropolitan Iov of Urbnisi and Ruisi
List of committee members:
a) Counting Committee:
Chair: Metropolitan Theodoros of Akhaltsikhe and Tao-Klareti
Members: Metropolitan Daniil of Tskaltubo and Sachkhere, Metropolitan Ananias of Mtskheta-Maghlisi and Tetritskaro, Metropolitan David of Alaverdi, Metropolitan Grigorios of Phasida and Khobi, Metropolitan Dimitrios of Batumi and Lazeti, Metropolitan Gerasimos of Zugdidi and Tsaishi
b) Competence Committee:
Chair: Metropolitan Savvas of Khoni and Samtredia
Members: Metropolitan Antonios of Vani and Baghdati, Archbishop Iakovos of Bodbe, Bishop Symeon of Surami and Khashuri, Bishop Dositheos of Bondbe
c) Editorial Committee:
Chair: Metropolitan Andria of Gori and Ateni
Members: Metropolitan Stephanos of Tsageri and Lentekhi, Metropolitan Ioannis of Kutaisi-Gaenati, Archbishop Ephraim of Bolnisi, Bishop Melchisedek of Margveti and Ubisi
Until the next session of the Holy Synod, the Metropolitans are to submit from their dioceses the full list of representatives of the Expanded Synod for approval by the Holy Synod.
Read also: What is the procedure for the election of a Patriarch in the Georgian Orthodox Church
Role of the Locum Tenens and Synodal Procedure
Andria Jaghmaidze, head of the Public Relations Department of the Georgian Orthodox Church, noted that the late Patriarch had appointed Metropolitan Shio as locum tenens to avoid uncertainty.
“Today, all high-ranking clergy in Georgia were ordained during the time of Ilia II of Georgia, and their spiritual formation reflects his legacy,” Jaghmaidze said, emphasizing that the final decision will be made collectively by the Synod in accordance with Church regulations.
He further stressed that the election process will strictly follow canonical procedures, with the new Catholicos-Patriarch to be elected by majority vote during an expanded Synodal session.
Georgian Prime Minister Calls for Non-Interference in the Election Process
The Prime Minister of Georgia, Irakli Kobakhidze, stressed the importance of maintaining the independence of the Church in the electoral process.
“The process of electing the new Patriarch of Georgia must be entirely independent, and everyone should trust the Holy Synod, which is responsible for making the final decision,” he stated.
He added that while the government is refraining from involvement, political opponents and affiliated groups have launched campaigns attempting to influence public perception. Kobakhidze described such actions as inappropriate and warned that they risk undermining the Church’s authority and the unique role of the Patriarch.
Russian Intelligence Claims Target Ecumenical Patriarch
Amid the unfolding electoral process, Russian authorities have once again launched an attack against Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, reflecting what many observers view as the alignment of the Moscow Patriarchate with Kremlin policy.
This marks the second time that the Press Office of the Foreign Intelligence Service of Russia has targeted the Ecumenical Patriarch. Approximately two months ago, similar claims were made, accusing him of fomenting division within the Orthodox world and even portraying him as an “agent” of British intelligence.
In its latest statement, titled “Bartholomew Forgot Himself in His Arrogance,” the SVR cites alleged “information” claiming that the Ecumenical Patriarch “continues to pursue an insidious policy of dividing world Orthodoxy, guided by the principle of divide and rule.” It further alleges that “this time, he seeks to subjugate the Georgian Orthodox Church, taking advantage of the passing of Patriarch Ilia II.”
According to the same claims, Russian intelligence accuses the Ecumenical Patriarch of attempting to influence the election process in order to promote a hierarch aligned with his interests.
A Pivotal Moment for the Georgian Church
As the Georgian Orthodox Church moves forward in selecting a successor to the late Patriarch Ilia II, the ongoing Synodal deliberations are expected to play a decisive role in shaping the future leadership of the Church.
The coming days will be crucial, as the Church balances canonical requirements, internal unity, and external pressures in one of the most significant ecclesiastical decisions in recent years.
