The expanded council of the Georgian Orthodox Church has convened at the Holy Trinity Cathedral to elect Georgia’s new Catholicos-Patriarch.

The council opened with a memorial requiem service for the repose of the soul of Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, Ilia II.

The reception of guests and delegates at the cathedral began at 10:00 and continued until 12:00, after which the expanded council formally commenced.

Nearly 1,200 delegates are in attendance. The session will include addresses by the candidates for the Patriarchal throne, as well as speeches from delegates representing various eparchies. A scholar will additionally deliver a historical overview concerning the title of Catholicos-Patriarch of Georgia.

The Patriarchal candidates are: the locum tenens of the Patriarchal throne, Metropolitan Shio of Senaki and Chkhorotsku (Mujiri); Metropolitan Iobi of Mroveli-Urbnisi (Akiashvili); and Metropolitan Grigoli of Poti and Khobi (Berbichashvili).

Only bishops are entitled to participate in the vote to elect the Catholicos-Patriarch. The candidate who receives more than half of the votes cast by the participating bishops, in this instance, 20 votes, shall be deemed elected as Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia.

Georgia’s 141st Catholicos-Patriarch, Ilia II, passed away on March 17 at the age of 93.