Georgian Church Synod to present three candidates for Patriarchal throne

The Georgian Patriarchate. Photo: orthodoxie.com

The Holy Synod of the Georgian Orthodox Church will present three candidates for the Patriarchal throne, from among whom the new Primate will then be elected. As reported by the Patriarchate's press service, the Synod session will take place on April 28, 2026, in Tbilisi.

The hierarchs will determine three bishops who receive the most votes and will be nominated as candidates.

After this, the list of candidates will be submitted for consideration to the Extended Council, which will elect the new Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia.

According to the Statute of the Georgian Church, a candidate must be a bishop, have theological education, experience in church administration, be a citizen of Georgia, a monk, and be 40-70 aged.

The election of the new Primate has special significance, as it will be the first in almost half a century after the long service of the late Patriarch Ilia II, who headed the Church for 49 years.

The election procedure takes place in several stages and is regulated by the Statute adopted in 1995, which defines the voting procedure and requirements for candidates.

Earlier, the UOJ described in detail the procedure for electing a new Patriarch in Georgia.

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