The meeting of the Holy Synod at the Patriarchate of Georgia has concluded. The highest clergy members have named the three candidates from whom the Church will elect the new Patriarch:

--- Metropolitan Shio (Mujiri) of Senaki and Chkhorotsku, the Locum Tenens of the Patriarchal Throne.
--- Metropolitan Iobi (Akiashvili) of Ruisi and Urbnisi.
--- Metropolitan Grigoli (Berbichashvili) of Poti and Khobi.

As a result of the voting, the candidates` votes were distributed as follows:

--- Metropolitan Shio - 20 votes
--- Metropolitan Iobi – 7 votes
--- Metropolitan Grigoli – 7 votes

"The vote among these three candidates will take place at the Expanded Church Council, where the result will determine who the future Patriarch will be. The date is not yet known", - said Archpriest Andria Jagmaidze, Head of the Public Relations Department of the Patriarchate, following the conclusion of the Synod meeting.

According to the statute, the Expanded Council must be held at the Holy Trinity Cathedral no later than May 16. The Patriarchal throne will be assumed by the candidate who secures the majority of votes, with a minimum of 20 votes required during the balloting.