“The expectation is that God’s will shall be revealed today and Georgia will have a worthy Patriarch,” said Archpriest Andria Jagmaidze, head of the Patriarchate’s Public Relations Service, regarding the process of electing the Catholicos-Patriarch.

According to him, the process is expected to begin at 1:00 p.m., and most likely all bishops will attend.

“It will be a voting procedure similar to the one held at the previous Synod session, except that here the choice will be among three candidates, from whom the Catholicos-Patriarch will be selected.

The expectation is that God’s will shall be revealed today and Georgia will have a worthy Patriarch.

We believe the process will begin at 1:00 p.m. Most likely, all bishops will be present.

The opening will be public, then the voting process will take place, and finally the announcement of the results,” the Archpriest stated.

Regarding the enthronement ceremony, he noted that more information would become available after the election.

“Today, once the election is completed, it will then become known when the enthronement will take place,” Archpriest Jagmaidze stated.

For reference, the Georgian Orthodox Church will elect the 142nd Patriarch of Georgia today during the expanded assembly at the Holy Trinity Cathedral (Sameba Cathedral).

By decision of the Holy Synod, the candidates for the Patriarchate are:

• Locum Tenens of the Patriarchal Throne and Metropolitan of Senaki and Chkhorotsku, Shio (Mujiri);
• Metropolitan Iobi of the Urbnisi and Ruisi Diocese;
• Metropolitan Grigoli of Poti and Khobi.

Around 1,200 delegates are expected to attend the expanded assembly at which the new Patriarch will be elected.

According to the Patriarchate, attendance inside Sameba Cathedral will only be permitted through special invitation lists. Entry to the cathedral will begin at 10:00. On the day of the Patriarchal election, anyone wishing to attend may enter the courtyard of the cathedral complex, while restrictions apply only to the cathedral building itself.