Andria Jagmaidze, head of the Public Relations Department of the Georgian Patriarchate, stated that the criteria for electing the Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia stipulate that a candidate must be Georgian, a monk, and a member of the Synod. The candidate must also be educated and meet age requirements—having reached the age of 40 and being no older than 70.
The Synod does not have the authority to amend the governing regulations and is obliged to strictly adhere to them, he added.
Jagmaidze stated that it is vital for the life of the Church that the established order be followed.
“Today, the Synod will select three candidates <for the title of Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia>, followed by a subsequent Synod—an expanded session—where the Patriarch will be elected,” he reported.
Andria Jagmaidze pointed out that, as a mathematician, he understands the phrasing “no older than 70” to mean that any age exceeding 70 no longer meets the condition.
“That is to say, 70 years plus any number of days or months is already over 70. From a mathematician’s perspective, this is perfectly clear to me; however, we shall see what decision the Synod makes on this matter. Secondly, this Synod does not have the right to change the governing regulations and must strictly follow them. Regarding education: how do you imagine a situation where someone without a diploma applies for a vacancy—what would they say, that they don’t have a diploma but are an educated person? That wouldn’t work in any profession.
Any issue can become a matter of interpretation. For instance, one could ask what it means to be Georgian. I had a friend who was Yezidi, and internally he was a very good Georgian. If one reasons this way, everything can be called into question.
There is also the concept of ‘hidden monks’—yet the criteria specify ‘monk.’ A ‘hidden monk’ means the person has not taken formal vows but lives a monastic life. In other words, everything is subject to interpretation. Therefore, I believe it is very important for the life of the Church that the established order is maintained. We have already received information regarding delegates from most dioceses,” Jagmaidze stated.
