Local and international political and religious leaders, as well as diplomatic missions in Georgia, have congratulated Metropolitan Shio (Mujiri), now Shio III, on becoming the new Patriarch of the Georgian Orthodox Church.
At an extended church assembly on May 11, Shio was elected by the 39-member Holy Synod at Tbilisi’s Holy Trinity Cathedral. He received 22 of 39 Synod votes. His contenders, Metropolitan Iobi and Metropolitan Grigoli, received nine and seven votes respectively, while one ballot was annulled.
Shio III’s enthronement as the 142nd primate of the Georgian Orthodox Church was held the following day, on May 12, at Svetitskhoveli Cathedral in Mtskheta, Georgia’s ancient capital.
Below, we have compiled the congratulatory messages.
Local ReactionsRuling Party
Bidzina and Ekaterine Ivanishvili: “We warmly congratulate you on your election as Catholicos-Patriarch of the Georgian Orthodox Church. From today on, you are entrusted with the honourable and at the same time highly responsible mission of leading our Mother Church and serving as the spiritual father of every Orthodox Georgian, both clergy and laity. Your Holiness, it is a great historical responsibility to serve the Church and the country at a time when society especially needs spiritual strength, unity, and peace. This responsibility is even greater given that you are continuing the path of the Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, His Holiness and Beatitude Ilia II, who, over half a century in a difficult and turbulent period, has led our people and country with dignity. We believe that your ministry will become a foundation of peace, solidarity, and national unity, and will further strengthen the centuries-old traditions and values of the Georgian Church, on which our national identity rests. We wish you health, strength, and spiritual fortitude. May God bless Your Holiness and all of Georgia.”
Irakli Kobakhidze, Georgian Dream Prime Minister: “…Your Holiness and Beatitude Shio III, I warmly congratulate you on being chosen for this highly honourable and deeply responsible mission. We believe that you will worthily continue the great spiritual legacy that, for decades, has been created with exceptional wisdom and love by His Holiness and Beatitude Patriarch Ilia II. The Mother Church has always been the unshakable pillar of Georgia’s statehood and the spiritual strength of the nation. It is the Orthodox faith that has preserved the eternal values that have carried our country to this day. I am convinced that your pastoral leadership will serve the peaceful, united, and strong future of our homeland.”
Shalva Papuashvili, Speaker of the disputed parliament: “Today, the 2000-year-old Georgian Apostolic Church elected Metropolitan Shio as new Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia. The election of His Holiness and Beatitude coincides with the 1,700th anniversary of Declaration of Christianity as a state religion in Georgia in 326. May God will that Shio III is hailed as Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, the Archbishop of Mtskheta-Tbilisi and Metropolitan Bishop of Bichvinta and Tskhum-Abkhazia for many years to come. I congratulate the Georgian people and the flock of the Georgian Orthodox Church with this historic day and the election of the new Patriarch.”
Mikheil Kavelashvili, Georgian Dream-elected President: “Your Holiness and Beatitude, I congratulate you with the utmost respect and humility on your election as Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia. The selection of a new spiritual leader for our Church is an event of immense national and spiritual significance, as it is directly connected to the spiritual life, unity, and centuries-old traditions of our homeland and people. I believe that, under your leadership, the Georgian Orthodox Church will strengthen more. The role of the Catholicos-Patriarch in establishing peace, love, and mutual respect in society is immeasurable. I believe that your service will be founded precisely on these values…”
Oppositon
Lelo – Strong Georgia: “…The Coalition ‘Strong Georgia – Lelo’ congratulates the Georgian Orthodox Church, the clergy, and all of Georgia on the election of the new Patriarch. On this day, we remember with special respect the immense legacy of Ilia II in service to the Georgian state, the Church, and the Georgian people… We believe that under the leadership of the new Patriarch, the Georgian Orthodox Church will worthily continue this historic mission and play an important role in the cause of achieving national unity, public consensus, spiritual peace, and in the stable development of the country…”
Gakharia for Georgia party: “We congratulate Georgia and the Georgian Orthodox Church on the election of a new Catholicos-Patriarch. We wish the Catholicos-Patriarch of Georgia, Shio III, success in fulfilling the most important mission of spiritually strengthening the nation. We believe that the Georgian [Orthodox] Church will remain a pillar of peace, solidarity, and national unity.”
Freedom Square: “We congratulate the parish of the Georgian Orthodox Church on the election of a new leader! We wish Patriarch Shio III worthy leadership of the Church, [and] success on the path toward strengthening the unity of the Georgian people and Christian humanist values.”
United National Movement: “The United National Movement, as a political force grounded in Christian-democratic and conservative values, respectfully welcomes the decision of the Georgian Apostolic Autocephalous Orthodox Church regarding the election of the Catholicos-Patriarch. We sincerely congratulate His Holiness and Beatitude Shio III, Patriarch of All Georgia, on this most significant occasion. Today, against the backdrop of global challenges, the Georgian Church faces the need for wise renewal so that it may continue to fulfill its historic role as a unifying force within society and steadfast pillar of national identity. We hope that the service and leadership of His Holiness and Beatitude Shio III will be founded on national interests, spiritual strength, and public consensus.”
Mikheil Saakashvili, third President of Georgia: “…I would like to wish you to worthily continue the path of Patriarch Ilia II, to confront the spiritual challenges of the modern era, to strengthen the Church, and to take steps toward removing Russian influence and narratives. I would be glad if you remained as close as possible to ordinary people and as far as possible from those who oppress them…”
Salome Zourabichvili, fifth President of Georgia: “…I would like to express the wish that the new Patriarch continue the path of the Georgian Church – strengthening its independence and consolidating unity within society. One step I would particularly wish for, and I am sure many people share this view, is for the Patriarch to take the first step in pardoning all prisoners of conscience.”
International ReactionsReligious Leaders
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople: “With great joy, we have received, both personally and together with all those serving at the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the glad news of the worthy election of Your beloved Beatitude to the ancient and renowned Catholicos-Patriarchal Throne of All Georgia, in succession to the late and ever-memorable Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia II, who rendered luminous and historic service to the venerable Church of Georiga and to the whole of Orthodoxy. Glorifying the Lord, the Founder and Sustainer of His Church, we fraternally congratulate Your Beatitude, and we pray that you may be granted a long, blessed, and fruitful Primatial ministry, for the glory of God, for good of your devout flock, for peace and stability among the Georgian people, and for the advancement, in harmonious cooperation with us and with the other Primates of the sister Orthodox Churches, of pan-Orthodox unity, collaboration, and common witness before the World. Axios!”
Metropolitan Epiphaniy of Kyiv and All Ukraine: “I warmly congratulate the newly elected Primate of the sister Georgian Orthodox Church on accepting this high and responsible calling to carry out the primatial ministry leading the Georgian people toward salvation and the fullness of the entrusted Church. The newly elected Patriarch assumes his ministry after the long-standing contribution of his predecessor, His Holiness and Beatitude Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia II of blessed memory, whose life and work became an example of fidelity to Christ, devoted service to the Church, and spiritual care for his people…I wish the newly elected Patriarch many blessed years of service, wisdom, spiritual strength, and God’s help in being the spiritual leader of the Georgian people. And may the Lord bless the new stage in the life of the Georgian Orthodox Church and guide it along the path of truth, love, and peace.”
Kiril, Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia: “To His Eminence, His Eminence Shio, Metropolitan of Senaki and Chkorotsku, elected Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia…I warmly congratulate you on your election as Primate of the Georgian Orthodox Church…Having visited Georgia many times, as well as receiving dear guests from the land of Iberia, I have always felt the deep spiritual closeness of our Orthodox peoples. I pray that, with God’s help, in your primatial ministry, the traditions of brotherly relations established under your venerable predecessors will find worthy continuation, especially under the esteemed and ever-remembered Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia Ilia II, revered throughout the Orthodox world.”
Tikhon, Metropolitan of All America and Canada: “I write to extend to Your Holiness my heartfelt congratulations on your election as Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia. The Georgian Orthodox Church, with her ancient apostolic heritage and steadfast witness through centuries of trial and endurance, occupies a cherished place within the family of the Holy Orthodox Churches. At this important moment in the life of your Church, I pray that the Lord will grant Your Holiness wisdom, strength, peace, and abundant grace as you assume this sacred ministry…”
Daniel, Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church: “With great joy in our Lord Jesus Christ, we would like to congratulate you on the occasion of your election as Archbishop of Mtskheta and Tbilisi, Metropolitan of Bichvinta and Tskhum-Abkhazia, and Catholicos Patriarch of All Georgia. At the same time, we pray our Lord Jesus Christ to grant you many spiritual accomplishments in the new mission entrusted to you. On behalf of the members of the Holy Synod, the clergy and the faithful of the Romanian Orthodox Church, we wish Your Beatitude many blessed years in the service of the Orthodox people of Georgia and help from God in all your pastoral and missionary activity.”
Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of Armenia: “Your election is a vivid testimony to your many years of selfless service to the Georgian Church and people. We pray that the Almighty Lord, through His abundant grace, will steadfastly strengthen and support you in your lofty patriarchal ministry – leading the pious Georgian people along the paths of peace and blessing. Your Holiness, beloved brother in Christ, we are confident that the centuries-old fraternal ties between the Armenian and Georgian Churches, founded upon the love of Our Lord Jesus Christ and our rich spiritual and historical heritage, will continue during Your Patriarchate to serve as a firm foundation for cooperation between our Churches, peoples, and states.”
Porfirije, Serbian Patriarch: “To Your Holiness, in Our personal name, together with the brother bishops, the clergy and the faithful people of the Church of Saint Sava, we offer our warmest congratulations on this great gift of God’s love, we send our heartfelt greetings, prayerfully wishing that your upcoming patriarchal service will be for the glory of God and for the benefit and building of both your local Church and the fullness of the Church of Christ.”
Cardinal Kurt Koch, Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity: “It was with particular joy that I learned of your election to the throne of Catholicos-Patriarch of the Georgian Orthodox Church. On behalf of the Dicastery, and personally, I wish to extend to you my sincere congratulations for the ministry entrusted to you by the Lord, who “orders the steps of the righteous” (Psalm 37:23). By divine providence, you are called, in a new and more demanding way, together with your brother bishops of the Holy Synod, to shepherd the flock of Jesus Christ, following the example of the Lord who “lays down His life for the sheep” (John 10:11), so that the Church of Georgia may grow in unity, holiness, and charity.”
Sheikhulislam Allahshukur Pashazadeh, the Chairman of the Caucasus Muslims Board: “On behalf of the Azerbaijani faithful and on my own behalf, I am honored to extend our most sincere congratulations on your election as Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia. For nearly half a century, I have been connected by sincere friendship and brotherly ties with your unforgettable predecessor, the Great Spiritual Leader of the Georgian people, the late Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia II. Inspired by these ties, we have always sought to contribute to the further strengthening of the comprehensive ties between our two neighboring and friendly peoples and states, especially the high-level relations in the spiritual and religious spheres.”
Embassies, Ambassadors
The U.S. Embassy Tbilisi: “The United States extends its most heartfelt congratulations to the Georgian Orthodox Church and its faithful on the election of His Holiness and Beatitude Shio III as Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia. This is a historic occasion as the first election of a Patriarch since Georgia regained its independence. We wish him great success and look forward to engaging the Georgian Orthodox Church – one of the world’s oldest Christian denominations – on the advancement of our shared cultural and civilizational objectives.”
EU Delegation in Georgia: “The European Union extends its warmest congratulations on the election of His Holiness and Beatitude Shio III as Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia. The Georgian Orthodox Church has played a key role throughout Georgia’s history to preserve national and cultural identity. At a moment when the world is in great need of moral clarity, reconciliation and hope, we trust that Your Holiness’ spiritual guidance and wisdom will be a source of inspiration for all those who seek unity in times of uncertainty and division.”
Dmitry Olisov, Head of the Russian Interests Section at the Swiss Embassy: “..to the newly elected Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, Archbishop of Mtskheta and Tbilisi, Metropolitan of Bichvinta and Tskhum Abkhazia Shio III. In your face, the renowned 1,7000-year-old Church of Iberia, the portion of the Most Holy Mother of God, has acquired a new primate and a worthy successor to the labors of the ever-memorable His Holiness and Beatitude Ilia II. In Russia, the news of the election of such an experienced hierarch, known for his paternal wisdom and uncompromising commitment to the canonical foundations of universal Orthodoxy, was received with great enthusiasm. I hope that your forthcoming patriarchal ministry will also contribute to strengthening the traditionally trusting relations between the sister Churches of Russia and Georgia.”
Embassy of Israel, Ambassador Walid Abu Haya: “…At this important and historic moment for the Georgian people and the Georgian Orthodox Church, we wish His Holiness and Beatitude wisdom, strength, peace, and fruitful service in leading the Georgian Orthodox Church and its faithful with faith, compassion, and unity. The relations between the peoples of Israel and Georgia are rooted in centuries of friendship, mutual respect, and shared spiritual heritage. Georgians and Jews have lived side by side for generations, connected through deep historical ties, cultural understanding, and enduring friendship. We are confident that these special relations between our nations and peoples will continue to grow stronger, guided by the values of peace, tolerance, and human dignity.”
Embassy of India: “The Embassy of India in Tbilisi extends its warmest and heartfelt congratulations to the Georgian Orthodox Church and its faithful on the election of His Holiness and Beatitude Shio III as Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia. The Embassy of India in Tbilisi extends its heartfelt and respectful congratulations to the Georgian Orthodox Church and its faithful on the election of His Holiness and Beatitude Shio III as Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia.”
Peter Fischer, German Ambassador to Georgia: “Congratulations and all good wishes to Metropolitan Shio Mujiri, now Shio III, on being elected Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia. “Be shepherds of God’s flock” 1 Peter 5:2-3.”
Petr Kubernat, Czech Ambassador to Georgia: “Congratulations to new Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia Shio III. Wishing him wisdom, strength, and guidance in his sacred mission. May his leadership bring unity, peace, and hope to Georgian people. My sincere congratulations to the entire nation of 🇬🇪 Sakartvelo!”
Matus Busovsky, Ambassador of the Slovak Republic to Georgia: “Congratulations to His Holiness and Beatitude Shio III on his election as the Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia! May your leadership inspire wisdom and unity, and bring blessings to the Georgian Orthodox Church and the whole Georgia.”
Polish Embassy in Tbilisi: “On the occasion of the enthronement of His Holiness and Beatitude Shio III as Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Tbilisi extends its most sincere congratulations and best wishes to the Georgian Orthodox Church and all its faithful. We wish Your Holiness unwavering strength, wisdom, and divine blessing in fulfilling this significant mission as the shepherd of the nation. To the Georgian Orthodox Church and all its members, we wish peace, spiritual unity, and continued prosperity, values that for centuries have formed the foundation of Georgia’s identity and culture.”
Embassy of France: “The French Embassy in Georgia extends its congratulations to His Holiness and Beatitude Shio III, Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, Archbishop of Mtskheta-Tbilisi, and Metropolitan of Bichvinta and Tskhum-Abkhazia. At this very important moment for the Georgian Orthodox Church and for the entire country, France wishes the new Patriarch every success in fulfilling his spiritual mission in the service of Georgia’s unity.”
More to follow…
Also Read:
Copy URL
URL Copied