Today’s session of the Holy Synod has not been convened for the purpose of selecting three candidates for the Patriarchal throne. Such a statementbmade today Andria Jaghmaidze, Head of the Patriarchate’s public relations office.

“As you will be aware, under the statutes, the expanded council must be convened within two months of the Patriarch’s repose. The statutes will not be revised in any way that would itself require an expanded session, and therefore, every matter will be resolved strictly in accordance with them.

As for those questions on which differing views exist, I can tell you that every bishop held the Catholicos-Patriarch in the deepest reverence, and the profound love that bound them to him means they will guard with the utmost responsibility the unity he left behind. That is the prevailing spirit, and we should expect every matter to be approached in that same unity and sense of responsibility.

The Synod will ask God that, by the grace of the Holy Spirit, all necessary questions be resolved in a manner befitting the Church and the Christian order. In all likelihood, today will see deliberation on the criteria that a Patriarchal candidate must fulfil.

The members of the Synod are convening to settle questions of detail, so that when the Synod next assembles to select three candidates, there will be no further deliberation, only the selection itself.

The session at which 3 candidates are chosen will be held at the Patriarchate, and discussion will also take place as to where the expanded council should convene”, - said Andria Jaghmaidze.