“I trust the Patriarch’s decision and have no choice to make — we see the work of Metropolitan Shio, and I am satisfied,” said Metropolitan Stephane of Chkondidi, Tsageri, and Lentekhi on the PalitraNews program “360 Degrees.”

According to him, he has already made his decision regarding support and does not intend to engage in any debate.

“The Patriarch’s choice is important to me. Our Patriarch has cared for us for many years and selected a locum tenens. We see his work, and I am satisfied. What I am saying does not violate the secrecy of the vote — this is simply my opinion, and I do not wish to enter into any polemics on this issue,” Metropolitan Stephane said.

When asked whether it is true that the locum tenens has two votes or that the Patriarch has a single but decisive vote, Metropolitan Stephane responded: “No… Who said it is decisive? He has one vote; he is simply presented by His Holiness as the locum tenens.”

“The Patriarch believed that this person should learn a great deal from him and kept him by his side for nearly nine years. I know that Metropolitan Shio coordinated all his actions with the Patriarch. He made decisions only within the scope of his personal competence. In terms of governing the Church, he has done nothing without the Patriarch, and that is why I trust him,” Metropolitan Stephane said.