Georgia selects three candidates for future Patriarch

The Holy Synod of Georgia has selected three candidates for the post of Patriarch of the Georgian Orthodox Church.

The nominees are locum tenens of the Patriarchal throne, Metropolitan Shio, Metropolitan Iov, and Metropolitan Grigol, Caliber.Az reports, citing Georgian media.

“Metropolitan Shio received 20 votes, while the other two candidates received seven votes each,” said Andria Jagmaidze, head of the Patriarchate’s public relations service.

The 142nd Patriarch is due to be elected at an expanded assembly by May 17.

If no candidate secures a majority in the first round, a second round will be held between the two leading contenders.

By Aghakazim Guliyev