How the Election of a New Patriarch of Georgia Could Impact Ukraine

The passing of Patriarch Ilia II of the Georgian Orthodox Church has left the country in deep sorrow, marking the beginning of a fierce competition for his successor. Ilia II held the position of Catholicos and Patriarch of the Georgian Church since 1977, making him a pivotal figure in Georgian society. Throughout his tenure, he consistently emerged as the most trusted leader in the nation, as indicated by various sociological surveys. His reign lasted for an impressive 49 years until his death at the age of 93.

In the days following Ilia's death, Metropolitan Filaret, who played a crucial role in the establishment of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU), also passed away. A key issue for Ilia's successor will be the recognition of the OCU's autocephaly. This matter holds significant importance for Ukraine, as the stance of the new patriarch could greatly influence the relationship between the two countries.

For nearly half a century, the Patriarch of Georgia has been a strong advocate for Georgian sovereignty and independence. He supported the protests of April 1989 against Soviet rule, publicly called for peaceful demonstrations during the Rose Revolution in November 2003, and blessed the “Stop Russia” protests during the Russian aggression in August 2008.

Under the leadership of Patriarch Ilia, the Georgian Orthodox Church (GOC) enjoyed a high level of public trust, with surveys indicating a trust rate of 70%. However, depending on who is elected as his successor, the trust in the church could plummet sharply if a pro-Kremlin priest is chosen.

Unfortunately, this scenario currently appears to be the most likely. In 2017, the aging Ilia unexpectedly announced that he was appointing Bishop Shio Mujiri as the temporary head of the church. The term “temporary head” translates from Latin as a person who “holds a place,” similar to a vice president or successor. For 40 days following the patriarch's death, the temporary head leads the church and organizes the election of a successor through the Holy Synod, the legislative body of the church.

Typically, the appointment of a temporary head occurs during the patriarch's lifetime, but in this case, the decision was made amidst uncertainty. This could result in a new patriarch, chosen from among Kremlin supporters, who may not endorse the autocephaly of the OCU, raising concerns in Ukraine.

The selection of a new patriarch will be a pivotal moment for Georgia, as it will not only determine the internal policies of the church but also influence the country's foreign policy direction. If the new patriarch adopts a pro-Ukrainian stance, it could strengthen the ties between Georgia and Ukraine, which already share common interests in the fight against Russian aggression.

Thus, the election of a new patriarch of Georgia could prove to be a decisive moment not only for Georgian society but also for Ukrainian-Georgian relations. As Ukraine observes this process, it hopes for positive changes that could bolster the independence and sovereignty of both nations.