Georgian Orthodox Church Narrows Patriarch Candidates to Three Senior Clergy
The Holy Synod has selected three candidates for the Patriarchal Throne in its latest session.
Based on the Synod's decision, the candidates for Patriarch will be the Locum Tenens of the Patriarchal Throne, Metropolitan Shio (Mujiri) of Senaki and Chkhorotsku; Metropolitan Iobi of the Urbnisi and Ruisi Diocese; and Metropolitan Grigoli of Poti and Khobi.
Head of the Patriarchate's Public Relations Service, Archpriest Andria Jagmaidze, told journalists that Metropolitan Shio received 20 votes, while the other two candidates each secured 7 votes.
He also noted that additional candidates nominated during the process included Metropolitan Grigol Katsia, Metropolitan Dositheos, and Metropolitan Melkisedek.
"The Synod session has concluded. As always, the official decree will be announced later by the Synod's secretary. Today's key issue was the selection of Patriarchal candidates. Three candidates were chosen: Locum Tenens Shio, Metropolitan Iobi, and Metropolitan Grigoli. The next stage will involve a vote between these three candidates at an expanded session, which will determine who becomes the next Patriarch. The date of this session has not yet been set," Jagmaidze said.
He added that the Synod strictly followed the provisions outlined in the Church's governance regulations during the decision-making process.
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