Tbilisi, May 11, 2026
Rustavi 2
The hierarchs of the Georgian Orthodox Church elected their new Patriarch today.
After one round of voting, His Eminence Metropolitan Shio of Senaki and Chkhorotsku, who was hand-picked by His Holiness Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia to serve as Locum Tenens in 2017, was elected the new Georgian Patriarch.
He received 22 votes, while Metropolitan Job of Mroveli and Urbnisi received 9 and Metropolitan Grigol of Poti and Khobi received 7, reports Rustavi 2.
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Born Elizbar Mujiri on February 1, 1969, in Tbilisi. After completing his secondary education and attending music school, he entered the Tbilisi State Conservatory in 1988.
In 1991, he entered the Shio-Mgvime Monastery as a novice and was tonsured a monk in 1993, receiving the name Shio. He served in various capacities within the monastery, including in the refectory and as steward. He was ordained a deacon in 1995 and a priest in 1996 by His Holiness Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia II of All Georgia.
He subsequently served in various churches in Tbilisi and Moscow while pursuing theological studies at institutions in Batumi and Moscow. In 2003, he was elected Bishop of the newly established Diocese of Senaki and Chkhorotsqu, with his consecration taking place at Svetitskhoveli Cathedral. He was elevated to the rank of Archbishop in 2009.
On November 23, 2017, he was appointed Locum Tenens of the Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia. In 2018, he was granted the right to wear the jeweled cross.
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