By Efi Efthimiou
The Holy Synod of the Church of Georgia is expected to convene on Friday, 3 April at 12:00 noon, at the invitation of the Locum Tenens of the Patriarchal Throne, Metropolitan Shio of Senaki.
According to the announcement, the purpose of the meeting is to discuss organisational matters and additional details regarding the upcoming sessions of the Synod in its expanded composition, which will elect the triprosopon, as well as other issues necessary for the election of a new Patriarch.
However, according to sources at OrthodoxTimes.com, the Synod’s meeting may also address the interpretation of certain articles of the Church’s statute, which could exclude two strong candidates from the patriarchal elections: Metropolitan Daniel of Sachkhere and Chiatura and Metropolitan Isaiah of Tskhinvali.
Today’s publication of the newspaper Orthodoxi Alithia reports that Metropolitan Daniel of Sachkhere and Chiatura is a low-profile hierarch with considerable support. He is not particularly sympathetic towards the Ecumenical Patriarchate, is pro-government, and could be a strong contender. However, he turns 71 on May 29, while the Church of Georgia’s statute stipulates that the new Patriarch must be between 40 and 70 years old.
Metropolitan Isaiah does not hold a degree in theology. While theological education is one of the criteria for election as Patriarch, the statute of the Church of Georgia does not specify how such training is to be demonstrated.
The 64-year-old Metropolitan Isaiah of Tskhinvali is popular among Georgia’s faithful. The public regards him as a ‘saintly’ figure with significant achievements, who loves his homeland, his Metropolis lies in a region occupied by the Russians, and who is favourably disposed towards the Ecumenical Patriarchate and Patriarch Bartholomew.
Translated by Ioanna Georgakopoulou
