The Patriarchal locum tenens must convene an extended Church Council to elect a new Catholicos-Patriarch 40 days after the death of Ilia II, but no later than two months

According to the statute governing the Georgian Orthodox Church, upon the death of the Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, the Church is led - until a new Patriarch is elected - by the Patriarchal locum tenens appointed by the late Catholicos-Patriarch.

The Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia is elected by the extended council of the Georgian Church.

Obedience to the locum tenens, as designated by the will of the Catholicos-Patriarch, is a canonical duty for every member of the Church.

After the Patriarchal throne becomes vacant, the locum tenens must convene the extended council of the Georgian Church no earlier than 40 days and no later than two months, at which the new Catholicos-Patriarch will be elected. Before this, the locum tenens convenes the Holy Synod to select candidates for the Patriarchal throne.

The Holy Synod selects three candidates to be presented to the extended council. Each member of the Synod has the right to nominate one candidate, including themselves. The three candidates who receive the most votes are presented to the extended council as Patriarchal candidates. All participants of the extended council have the right to express their views on the candidates.

Only bishops participate in the final vote to elect the Catholicos-Patriarch. The candidate who receives more than half of the votes of the participating bishops is elected. If no candidate receives more than half of the votes, a second round is held between the two candidates with the highest number of votes in the first round.

The enthronement (intronization) of the Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia takes place at the Svetitskhoveli Cathedral.

According to Orthodox tradition, the Catholicos-Patriarch is elected for life (until death). Based on the Church’s statute, a candidate for Catholicos-Patriarch must meet the following requirements:

  • Must be ethnically Georgian

  • Must be a bishop of the Georgian Orthodox Church

  • Must have theological education and sufficient experience in church governance

  • Must be at least 40 years old and no older than 70

  • Must be a monk

For reference, the Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, His Holiness and Beatitude Ilia II, passed away at the age of 93. The official announcement was made at the Caucasus Medical Center by the Patriarchal locum tenens, Metropolitan Shio (Mujiri).