Georgia’s Orthodox Church to elect 142nd Catholicos-Patriarch today

Georgia’s Orthodox Church is set to elect its 142nd Catholicos-Patriarch today, in what senior clerics have described as a historic moment for both the Church and the country.

The expanded Church Council will convene at the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Tbilisi at 13:00 local time, bringing together up to 1,200 delegates from across the country.

Only bishops will take part in the final vote to elect the successor to the late Patriarch Ilia II, who died on 17 March at the age of 93 after leading the Georgian Orthodox Church for decades.

Three candidates have been nominated by the Holy Synod:

• Metropolitan Shio of Senaki and Chkhorotsku, the Patriarchal Locum Tenens

• Metropolitan Iobi of Mrovi and Urbnisi

• Metropolitan Grigoli of Poti and Khobi

During the Synod’s vote on 28 April, Metropolitan Shio received 20 votes, while the other two candidates secured seven votes each.

Under the Church’s governing statute, a candidate must receive more than half of the bishops’ votes to be elected. In the current configuration, that threshold stands at 20 votes. If no candidate secures a majority in the first round, a second ballot will be held between the top two contenders.

The proceedings at the cathedral will include speeches by the candidates and delegates representing dioceses, while a Church historian is expected to present a review of the historical development of the Patriarch’s title.

Parts of the gathering will be broadcast live by Georgia’s First Channel, including the opening ceremony, the voting process and the announcement of the final result. The counting of ballots itself will take place behind closed doors.

Attendance inside the cathedral will be restricted to individuals included on official accreditation lists, although members of the public will be allowed access to the cathedral grounds during the session.

Senior clergy arriving ahead of the vote described the day as both historic and deeply significant.

Metropolitan Andria of Gori and Ateni said the Church and society were witnessing an “epochal event”, adding that all participants would be free to express their will during the election.

“There are three candidates and each has the possibility of becoming Catholicos-Patriarch,” he said. “This is an absolutely free expression of will.”

Bishop Vakhtang of Nikortsminda also called the day “historic and joyful”, expressing confidence that the process would unfold “as required for our nation and our Church”.

“The greatest thing in Christianity is always love,” he said, while urging observers not to rush to conclusions before the vote concludes.

The date of the enthronement ceremony for the newly elected Patriarch is expected to be announced later on Monday.