The Patriarchate has published the minutes of the Holy Synod session. The minutes were read by Andria Gvazava, Metropolitan of Gori and Ateni.

“On April 3, 2026, a session of the Holy Synod of the Georgian Orthodox Church was held at the Patriarchal Residence of Georgia.

The session began with a requiem memorial service for His Holiness and Beatitude, Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, Ilia II, conducted by Shio (Mujiri), Deputy Patriarchal Locum Tenens, Metropolitan of Senaki and Chkhorotsku, together with members of the Holy Synod.

Following this, the session of the Holy Synod was officially opened by Shio (Mujiri), Deputy Patriarchal Locum Tenens, Metropolitan of Senaki and Chkhorotsku.

In his opening address, Metropolitan Shio highlighted the merits and contributions of Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia II to the Church and the nation. He thanked the members of the Holy Synod, the clergy, the authorities, and the Georgian people for their love expressed towards His Holiness Ilia II, and requested prayers for the unity of the Church and the nation, as well as divine guidance for conducting the electoral process according to God’s will.

Metropolitan Andria (Gvazava), Metropolitan of Gori and Ateni, was elected secretary of the session.

Metropolitan Shio presented to the Holy Synod the following draft electoral procedural matters developed in accordance with the 1995 Statute of Governance of the Georgian Orthodox Church:

a) Rules for selecting Patriarchal candidates (three candidates) – working version; b) Procedural matters for the convening of the Extended Council of the Georgian Orthodox Church to elect the Catholicos-Patriarch – working version; c) Formation of the following commissions: vote-counting, mandate, and editorial, to ensure a fair, transparent, and organized electoral process.

The following hierarchs expressed their opinions on the matters:

• Archbishop Zenon (Iarajuli) of Dmanisi and Agarak-Tashir
• Metropolitan Saba (Gigiberia) of Khoni and Samtredia
• Metropolitan Anania (Japaridze) of Manglisi and Tetritskaro
• Metropolitan Grigol (Berbichashvili) of Poti and Khobi
• Metropolitan Nikoloz (Pachua) of Akhaltsikhe, Kumurdo, and Karsi
• Metropolitan Theodore (Chuadze) of Akhaltsikhe and Tao-Klarjeti
• Metropolitan David (Makharadze) of Abba Alaverdi
• Bishop Giorgi (Jamdeli) of Marneuli and Khujabi
• Metropolitan Stephane (Kalaijishvili) of Chkondidi, Tsageri, and Lentekhi
• Archbishop Iakob (Iakobishvili) of Bodbe
• Bishop Dosithe (Bogveradze) of Belgium and the Netherlands
• Metropolitan Isaiah (Chanturia) of Nikoz and Tskhinvali
• Metropolitan Ioane (Gamrekeli) of Kutatel-Gaenati
• Metropolitan Iosab (Kikvadze) of Shemkreveli
• Metropolitan Daniel (Datuashvili) of Chiatura and Sachkhere
• Metropolitan Vakhtang (Akhvlediani) of Tsurta
• Metropolitan Andria (Gvazava) of Gori and Ateni
• Metropolitan Iob (Akiashvili) of Mroveli-Urbneli

The Holy Synod resolved the following:

1. The Synod will review the list of Patriarchal candidates at the next session and, following procedural compliance, identify the final candidates to present to the Extended Council of the Georgian Orthodox Church.
2. The Extended Council to elect the Catholicos-Patriarch will be held at the Holy Trinity Patriarchal Cathedral.

Commissions and Members:

a) Vote-Counting Commission:

• Chair: Metropolitan Theodore (Chuadze) of Akhaltsikhe and Tao-Klarjeti
• Members: Metropolitan Daniel (Datuashvili) of Chiatura and Sachkhere, Metropolitan Anania (Japaridze) of Manglisi and Tetritskaro, Metropolitan David (Makharadze) of Abba Alaverdi, Metropolitan Grigol (Berbichashvili) of Poti and Khobi, Metropolitan Dimitri (Shiolashvili) of Batumi and Lazeti, Metropolitan Gerasime (Sharashenidze) of Zugdidi and Tsaishi

b) Mandate Commission:

• Chair: Metropolitan Saba (Gigiberia) of Khoni and Samtredia
• Members: Metropolitan Antoni (Bulukhia) of Vani and Baghdati, Archbishop Iakob (Iakobishvili) of Bodbe, Bishop Svimeon (Tsakashvili) of Surami and Khashuri, Bishop Dosithe (Bogveradze) of Belgium and the Netherlands

c) Editorial Commission:

• Chair: Metropolitan Andria (Gvazava) of Gori and Ateni
• Members: Metropolitan Stephane (Kalaijishvili) of Chkondidi, Tsageri, and Lentekhi, Metropolitan Ioane (Gamrekeli) of Kutatel-Gaenati, Archbishop Ephrem (Gamrekelidze) of Bolneli, Bishop Melkisedek (Khachidze) of Margveti and Ubi

Until the next session of the Holy Synod, the ruling hierarchs are to submit the full list of delegates from their dioceses for approval at the Holy Synod session,” the minutes state.