In Georgia, three contenders for the post of head of the Georgian Orthodox Church have been identified. As reported by "News Georgia," Moscow is very concerned about the election of the next head of the GOC and has named the most favorable candidate for the Russian Federation, UNN reports.
Details
The Holy Synod has named three candidates for the post of head of the Georgian Orthodox Church:
- Locum Tenens of the Patriarchal Throne, Metropolitan Shio (Mujiri) of Senaki and Chkhorotsqu;
- Metropolitan Iov (Akiashvili) of Mroveli and Urbnisi;
- Metropolitan Grigol (Berbichashvili) of Poti and Khobi.
According to the results of the secret ballot, Shio received 20 votes, while the other two candidates received 7 votes each.
The publication notes that the Patriarch of Georgia will be elected from these three candidates at an expanded Church Council by secret ballot.
The candidate who receives more than half of the votes of the participating bishops will be elected.
The expanded Church Council is to take place by May 17.
Addendum
The topic of the election of the head of the GOC concerns Moscow. The press bureau of the Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) of the Russian Federation recently even published a message titled "Bartholomew has forgotten himself in his arrogance." Moscow accused Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of interfering in the election of the head of the Georgian Orthodox Church.
The SVR of the Russian Federation claimed that Constantinople is allegedly lobbying for specific candidates for the Patriarchal throne. Among them was Metropolitan Grigol (Berbichashvili) of Poti and Khobi, who today was included among the three candidates named by the Holy Synod.
Ilia II, who headed the GOC for almost half a century, passed away on March 17 at the age of 93. His death opened one of the most sensitive processes in the modern history of the church.
From the beginning, media outlets named Metropolitan Shio (Mujiri) as his most likely successor.
The appointment of Mujiri as Locum Tenens was one of the key decisions of the late Patriarch. In 2017, he took this step publicly—instead of the traditional closed will, which is revealed only after death. Such a gesture appeared to be a conscious attempt to reduce tension within the church elite.
Formally, the status of Locum Tenens does not guarantee election. The Holy Synod maintains full control over the procedure, and Metropolitan Shio participates in it on equal terms with other bishops who meet the canonical requirements.
However, a political context is forming around the figure of Shio. Opposition media claimed that the ruling "Georgian Dream" and the Moscow church environment are allegedly interested in his election. The ruling party and the Patriarchate deny any outside interference in the election of the Patriarch.