On April 28, 2026, a session of the Holy Synod of the Orthodox Church of Georgia was held at the Patriarchal Residence of Georgia.
The session began with a memorial service for the repose of the soul of Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, Ilia II. The service was officiated by the Locum Tenens of the Patriarchal Throne, Metropolitan Shio (Mujiri) of Senaki and Chkhorotsku, together with the members of the Holy Synod.
The session was then opened by the Locum Tenens of the Patriarchal Throne, Metropolitan Shio (Mujiri) of Senaki and Chkhorotsku, who presented the agenda to the members of the Holy Synod.
Metropolitan Andrew (Gvazava) of Gori and Ateni was elected Secretary of the session.
Metropolitan Zosime (Shioshvili) of Tsilkani and Dusheti was absent from the session.
1. Taking into account that, during the session of the Holy Synod held on April 3, 2026, differing opinions were expressed regarding Article 4, Paragraph 2 of the 1995 Statute on the Administration of the Orthodox Church of Georgia (concerning the age and education of a Patriarchal candidate), the Locum Tenens of the Patriarchal Throne, Metropolitan Shio, invited the members to express their views to formulate the final position of the Holy Synod.
The following hierarchs spoke:
Metropolitan Daniel (Datuashvili) of Chiatura and Sachkhere; Metropolitan Anton (BuluKhIa) of Vani and Baghdati; Metropolitan Abraham (Garmelia) of Western Europe; and Metropolitan Isaiah (Chanturia) of Nikozi and Tskhinvali, who also submitted a written address (Appendix No. 1).
Many other hierarchs also took part in the discussion (the full list is omitted here for brevity, as it is extensive).
All members of the Holy Synod emphasized the importance of unity.
Following the discussion, Metropolitan Shio put to a vote whether it was expedient to continue deliberations. The majority voted to discontinue the discussion. A differing opinion was expressed by Metropolitan Nicholas (Pachuashvili).
The Holy Synod resolved that, under the present circumstances and until the election of a Catholicos-Patriarch, it lacks the authority to amend or interpret the aforementioned statute.
2. Subsequently, the chairman of the counting commission, Metropolitan Theodore, presented the list of candidates and explained the voting procedure. The six final candidates were:
Metropolitan Shio (Mujiri), Locum Tenens of the Patriarchal Throne
Metropolitan Job (Akiashvili)
Metropolitan Grigol (Berbichashvili)
Bishop Melchisedek (Khachidze)
Bishop Dositheos (Bogveradze)
Bishop Grigol (Katsia)
Voting results:
Shio – 20 votes
Job – 7 votes
Grigol (of Poti and Khobi) – 7 votes
Melchisedek – 0 votes
Dositheos – 1 vote
Grigol (of Tsalka) – 2 votes
One ballot was declared invalid.
Thus, the following candidates will proceed to the next stage:
Shio, Job, and Grigol.
Following the completion of the procedure, the counting commission drew up and signed the official record (Appendix No. 2).
3. Metropolitan Daniel presented a text concerning a commemorative pilgrimage marking the 1700th anniversary of the proclamation of Christianity as the state religion in Georgia.
At the conclusion of the session, the hierarchs congratulated the candidates, gave thanks to God, and offered prayers.
