Clergy are gathering at the Holy Trinity Cathedral - the country awaits a historical session. The new Catholicos-Patriarch of Georgia is to be named today at the expanded assembly of the Orthodox Church.

Preparatory work at Sameba continued until late last night. Barriers were set up around the cathedral area, and loudspeakers were installed for the citizens gathered in the courtyard.

The hierarchs must choose among 3 candidates - the locum tenens of the Patriarchal throne, Metropolitan Shio of Senaki and Chkhorotsku (Mujiri); Metropolitan Iobi of Mroveli-Urbnisi (Akiashvili); Metropolitan Grigoli of Poti and Khobi (Berbichashvili).

The expanded assembly will begin at the Trinity Cathedral at 13:00 and will be attended by up to 1,200 people, although only 39 bishops have the right to vote.

If any candidate garners more than 50% of the votes and receives 20 votes, a second round will not take place. Otherwise, the high-ranking clergy, among others, will have to make a choice between those who have the most votes.