“He must love the Church with all his being,” Metropolitan Zosime of Tsilkani and Dusheti said in response to a media question about what mission the new Patriarch should fulfill.

The Metropolitan made the comment before entering the Holy Trinity Cathedral (Sameba Cathedral).

“It will be as God wills. He must love the Church with all his being,” Metropolitan Zosime stated.

As a reminder, 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 Mroveli-Urbnisi;
• 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.