The process of electing a new Patriarch of Georgia has entered a decisive phase

The process of electing a new Primate of the Georgian Orthodox Church has entered its final stage: the Enlarged Church Assembly is due to take place no later than May 17. On the agenda is the approval of one of the three candidates previously nominated by the Holy Synod, amid calls by the church leadership for calm and trust in official institutions.

According to Orthodoxia.info, the election procedure is strictly regulated and is aimed at finalizing the succession. Archpriest Andreas Tzagmaidze, director of public relations, explained that in order to win in the first round, a candidate needs the support of at least 20 members of the Holy Synod. In the event that none of the candidates get the required number of votes, a second round will be held on the same day between the two leaders of the race. A total of about 2,000 delegates, including representatives of metropolitanates, monasteries, theological schools, and lay people with institutional authority, will take part in the assembly.

The list of three hierarchs, formed at the April 28 meeting, was put to a final vote. It includes Metropolitan Shio of Senaki, Metropolitan Iov of Ruthenia, and Metropolitan Gregory of Poti. The pre-election period is taking place under conditions of increased vigilance of the church leadership to information pressure. The Patriarchate of Georgia officially called on the clergy and flock to ignore unconfirmed data on the internal balance of power, emphasizing the need for full confidence in the decisions of the Holy Synod.