Eminence Grigol calls for calm ahead of patriarchal election

The Metropolitan of Poti and Khobi, Grigol Berbichashvili, has called for unity and restraint ahead of the upcoming election of a new Catholicos-Patriarch of the Georgian Orthodox Church, saying the Church is facing a “critical test” during a particularly difficult period.

Speaking to journalists on Wednesday, Eminence Grigol said the ongoing process should be conducted “with dignity and peacefully” and should serve as an example for the wider public.

“I believe we are in such an important process that we must do everything to ensure everything proceeds with dignity and peacefully, and that it becomes an example for the nation as well,” he said.

The senior cleric added that the Church was effectively undergoing a “test” in how it managed the transition surrounding the Patriarchal Throne.

“We are now passing a kind of test - how worthily we will go through this difficult stage for our Church, and it truly is an extremely difficult stage,” he added.

His remarks came after Zenon Iarajuli, Archbishop of Dmanisi and Agarak-Tashiri, said during a television interview that the possible election of Shio Mujiri as Patriarch would be “dangerous” for the Georgian Church.

Eminence Grigol is one of three candidates for the next patriarch.