The Georgian Orthodox Church’s expanded council proceeded behind closed doors at the Holy Trinity Cathedral.

Earlier, the locum tenens of the Patriarchal throne, Metropolitan Shio of Senaki and Chkhorotsku (Mujiri), delivered a welcoming address to the assembled participants.

The council commenced with a funeral service in honour of the late Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, Ilia II. Approximately 1,200 delegates are in attendance.

The agenda includes speeches from candidates vying for the Patriarchal throne, as well as addresses from delegates representing various dioceses. Additionally, a scholar is expected to provide a historical overview of 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.