Metropolitan Anton Bulukhia of Vani and Baghdati responded this way when journalists asked which candidate for Patriarch he supports.

According to him, it is very difficult to make a choice “among brothers.”

“Right now I am in such a state of emotion - just imagine what kind of choice I have to make among brothers. Each of them has qualities that are positive. You know what it’s like? Like a jury looking at two of the best candidates - now I understand how difficult it is for them to make a choice. It is very difficult; I am already emotional, and truly, it is hard to single someone out among brothers,” Anton Bulukhia said.

When asked whether he has two preferred candidates, he answered yes. However, when asked whether those candidates were Bishop Shio and Bishop Grigol, he did not give a direct answer.

“Listen, is there no third candidate you know? What kind of incompetent questions are these? What a person carries inside - you expect me to put it on paper, sign it, and then share my thoughts with you?” the Metropolitan said.

Asked whether it is important for the future Patriarch to be independent in decision-making, he answered affirmatively:

“What is two times two? Of course,” Bulukhia said.

When asked about a statement allegedly from Russian intelligence claiming that the Ecumenical Patriarch is lobbying for certain candidates, Bishop Anton said he had not heard anything about it.

“No, this is the first time I’m hearing about it. What Russian intelligence? I follow your channels more or less, and I haven’t heard it on television either. Maybe people just believe what they dream about,” Anton Bulukhia said.