“I have said many times: my main priority is for Ilia II to be canonized as a saint. The work our Patriarch has carried out over 50 years must continue,” said Metropolitan Nikoloz Pachuaashvili of Akhalkalaki, Kumurdo and Kari at Sameba Cathedral in connection with the Patriarchal election process.

According to him, the newly elected Patriarch will speak about his own priorities in his address.

“I don’t know what the priorities of the Patriarch should be. Once elected, he will tell us everything in his own words. I have said many times that my main priority is for the Patriarch to be canonized as a saint. The work that our Patriarch has done over 50 years must continue,” the Metropolitan 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.

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.