The Patriarchate of Georgia has released a statement detailing the confirmation of the theological education of Metropolitan Iov (Akiashvili), who is one of the candidates for the post of Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia.
The Patriarchate’s Public Relations Department reports that on April 23, 2026, the Metropolitan submitted a written request to the Rector of the Tbilisi Theological Academy and Seminary, Protopresbyter Giorgi Zviadadze, for a copy of his diploma based on his studies at the Mtskheta Theological Seminary.
In connection with this, the academy initiated a formal procedure to locate documents verifying his studies. The search was reportedly conducted within the archives of the Patriarchate of Georgia.
“The Tbilisi Theological Academy and Seminary began searching for materials in the archives of the Patriarchate of Georgia. Based on the findings, as well as Order No. 134 of October 20, 2017, issued by the Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, His Holiness and Beatitude Ilia II, the institution presented the relevant evidence to the commission responsible for awarding bachelor’s degrees at this educational institution. The commission’s meeting was held on May 5 of this year at 1:00 PM,” the statement reads.
Following the session, the commission formally recognized Metropolitan Iov’s education.
“Based on the evidence and witness testimony, the commission recognized the education received by Metropolitan Iov and conferred upon him the academic degree of Bachelor of Theology,” the Patriarchate announced.
