The Public Relations Service of the Patriarchate of Georgia has released the minutes of the Holy Synod session of the Georgian Orthodox Church held on April 28, 2026.

According to the minutes, the votes among the patriarchal candidates were distributed as follows: Locum Tenens of the Patriarchal Throne, Metropolitan Shio (Mujiri) of Senaki and Chkhorotsku - 20 votes; Metropolitan Iobi (Akiashvili) of Mroveli-Urbnisi - 7 votes; Metropolitan Grigol (Berbichashvili) of Poti and Khobi - 7 votes; Bishop Melkisedek (Khachidze) of Margveti and Ubisi - 0 votes; Bishop Dosite (Bogveradze) of Belgium and the Netherlands - 1 vote; Bishop Grigol (Katsia) of Tsalka - 2 votes.

One ballot did not indicate any candidate and was therefore deemed invalid.

Accordingly, the following will be presented as patriarchal candidates at the Expanded Council: Metropolitan Shio (Mujiri), Metropolitan Iobi (Akiashvili), and Metropolitan Grigol (Berbichashvili).

According to the minutes, all members of the Holy Synod emphasized the special importance of unity.

The document also notes that Metropolitan Zosime (Shioshvili) of Tsilkani and Dusheti did not attend the session.

“On April 28, 2026, a session of the Holy Synod of the Georgian Orthodox Church was held at the Patriarchal residence.

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

Afterward, Metropolitan Shio opened the session and presented the agenda to the members of the Holy Synod.

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

Metropolitan Zosime (Shioshvili) of Tsilkani and Dusheti did not attend the session.

Due to differing opinions expressed at the Holy Synod session of April 3, 2026, regarding Article 4(2) of the 1995 Statute of Governance of the Georgian Orthodox Church (concerning the age and education of patriarchal candidates), the Locum Tenens, Metropolitan Shio (Mujiri), invited members to express their views in order to establish a final position.

Opinions were expressed by: Metropolitan Daniel (Datuashvili) of Chiatura and Sachkhere; Metropolitan Anton (Bulukhia) of Vani and Baghdati; Metropolitan Abraham (Garmelia) of Western Europe; Metropolitan Isaia (Chanturia) of Nikozi and Tskhinvali, who also submitted a written address to the Synod (Appendix N1).

The issue was also discussed by numerous other metropolitans, archbishops, and bishops.

All members of the Holy Synod emphasized the special importance of unity.

Following the discussion, Metropolitan Shio put to a vote whether it was appropriate to continue deliberations on the aforementioned issue.

The majority of the Holy Synod voted to discontinue discussion, while Metropolitan Nikoloz (Pachuashvili) of Akhalkalaki, Kumurdo, and Kartsakhi expressed a dissenting opinion.

The Holy Synod concluded that, under the current circumstances and until the election of a Catholicos-Patriarch, it does not have the authority to amend or interpret Article 4(2) of the Church’s statute.

Afterward, the chairman of the vote-counting commission, Metropolitan Theodore (Chuadze) of Akhaltsikhe and Tao-Klarjeti, presented the list of patriarchal candidates and explained the voting procedures. The final list of six candidates participating in the vote included:

• Metropolitan Shio (Mujiri)
• Metropolitan Iobi (Akiashvili)
• Metropolitan Grigol (Berbichashvili)
• Bishop Melkisedek (Khachidze)
• Bishop Dosite (Bogveradze)
• Bishop Grigol (Katsia)

The votes were distributed as follows:

• Metropolitan Shio - 20 votes
• Metropolitan Iobi - 7 votes
• Metropolitan Grigol - 7 votes
• Bishop Melkisedek - 0 votes
• Bishop Dosite - 1 vote
• Bishop Grigol - 2 votes

One ballot was invalid as it did not indicate any candidate.

Thus, the following candidates will be presented at the Expanded Council: Metropolitan Shio (Mujiri), Metropolitan Iobi (Akiashvili), and Metropolitan Grigol (Berbichashvili).

After the procedure, the vote-counting commission compiled and signed the official protocol (Appendix N2).

Metropolitan Daniel (Datuashvili) also presented a text regarding a commemorative pilgrimage dedicated to the 1700th anniversary of Christianity being declared the state religion in Georgia.

At the end of the session, the bishops congratulated the selected candidates, gave thanks to God, and offered prayers,” the minutes state.