A session of the Holy Synod has concluded at the Georgian Patriarchate — senior clergy have already named three candidates from whom the Church will elect a new Patriarch.

According to the head of the Patriarchate’s press service, Andria Jagmaidze, the candidates are:

Metropolitan of Senaki and Chkhorotsku Shio (Mujiri) (locum tenens of the patriarchal throne)
Metropolitan of Mroveli-Urbnisi Iob (Akiashvili)
Metropolitan of Poti and Khobi Grigol (Berbichashvili)

For reference: at an expanded assembly to be scheduled before May 17, the Synod will elect the 142nd Patriarch of Georgia from among the candidates selected today. If none of the candidates receives a majority of votes at the assembly, a second round will be held, in which the two candidates with the highest number of votes will participate.

The election of a new Patriarch of All Georgia became necessary following the death of Ilia II on March 17, 2026.