I would like to appeal to the authorities and ask: do not interfere in the elections of the Patriarch in anyone's favor! On the contrary, protect the security of the upcoming expanded church council, so that we can gather in a peaceful environment and make a choice with God's help, - Bishop Giorgi Jamdeliani of Marneuli and Hujabi writes on social networks.

As he notes, the "appointed" patriarch may face great ordeal and even lead to a split.

“It is possible that any person, including government officials, may have some positive attitude towards any candidate, and this is completely normal, because they are also children of our Church, but it is absolutely forbidden to interfere in these processes, even indirectly. According to the law, the right to appoint bishops and patriarchs has always belonged to the Episcopal Conference. The Third Canon of the Seventh Ecumenical Council also speaks about this. The Church has always condemned the illegal interference of state authorities in the appointment of a bishop. Canon 30 of the Apostolic Constitution considers such a crime to be equivalent to simony. That is why the law prescribes for them the same punishment as that prescribed for simony - excommunication from the rank and excommunication from the Church.

Every high priest, after Patriarch’s election, must have the feeling that this is the Patriarch distinguished by the Holy Spirit, to whom he will be obliged to obey canonically, and not an “appointed” Patriarch," - writes Metropolitan Giorgi Jamdeliani, Bishop of Marneuli and Hujabi.