Tbilisi, April 29, 2026
Photo: spzh.eu
The Holy Synod of the Georgian Orthodox Church convened yesterday, April 28, to select candidates for the Patriarchal throne, following the repose of His Holiness Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia II on March 17.
The session began with a memorial service for Pat. Ilia, who led the Georgian Orthodox Church for 48 years and oversaw a period of significant religious revival. The service was conducted by His Eminence Metropolitan Shio of Senaki and Chkhorotsku, who is serving as Locum Tenens of the Patriarchal throne.
Following deliberations on procedural matters related to candidate eligibility, the Synod proceeded to voting. The vote counting commission, chaired by His Eminence Metropolitan Teodore of Akhaltsikhe and Tao-Klarjeti, presented a ballot of six candidates to the Synod members.
The voting results were as follows:
1. Metropolitan Shio of Senaki and Chkhorotsku — 20 votes
2. Metropolitan Iob of Mroveli-Urbnisi — 7 votes
3. Metropolitan Grigol of Poti and Khobi — 7 votes
4. Bishop Melkisedek of Margveti and Ubisi — 0 votes
5. Bishop Dosite of Belgium and Holland — 1 vote
6. Bishop Grigol of Tsalka — 2 votes
The three candidates receiving the most votes, Metropolitans Shio, Iob, and Grigol, will now advance to an expanded Church assembly, which will be held by May 17, to elect the next Patriarch of the Georgian Orthodox Church.
***
Orthodox Times provides biographical information on the three candidates:
Met. Shio
Born Elizbar Mujiri on February 1, 1969, in Tbilisi. After completing his secondary education and attending music school, he entered the Tbilisi State Conservatory in 1988.
In 1991, he entered the Shio-Mgvime Monastery as a novice and was tonsured a monk in 1993, receiving the name Shio. He served in various capacities within the monastery, including in the refectory and as steward. He was ordained a deacon in 1995 and a priest in 1996 by His Holiness Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia II of All Georgia.
He subsequently served in various churches in Tbilisi and Moscow while pursuing theological studies at institutions in Batumi and Moscow. In 2003, he was elected Bishop of the newly established Diocese of Senaki and Chkhorotsqu, with his consecration taking place at Svetitskhoveli Cathedral. He was elevated to the rank of Archbishop in 2009.
On November 23, 2017, he was appointed Locum Tenens of the Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia. In 2018, he was granted the right to wear the jeweled cross.
Met. Iob
Born Elguja Akiashvili on May 29, 1960, in the village of Sno in the Kazbegi region. He studied economics at the Agricultural Institute of Georgia and later served in administrative positions within the Patriarchate.
He was tonsured a monk in 1988, taking the name Iob, and was ordained a deacon and priest that same year. He served in various monasteries and dioceses, including Martqopi, Skhalta, and Batumi.
In 1992, he was elected Bishop and later served as Vice Rector of the Theological Academy and Seminary. He was elevated to Archbishop in 1996 and to the rank of Metropolitan in 2000. He is credited with the revitalization of religious life in the Diocese of Urbnisi and Ruisi, including the restoration of churches, the founding of monasteries, and the advancement of theological education.
Met. Grigol
Born Guram Berbichashvili on July 18, 1956, in Tbilisi. He studied at the Tbilisi Theological Academy and Seminary.
He was ordained a deacon in 1989 and a priest in 1990, serving in various churches in western Georgia. In 1996, he was tonsured a monk with the name Grigol and shortly thereafter was consecrated Bishop of Poti by Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia II. Since then, he has led the Diocese of Poti and Khobi, contributing to the growth of the local Church community.
Follow OrthoChristian on Facebook, Twitter, Vkontakte, Telegram, WhatsApp, MeWe and Gab!
