Mtskheta, Georgia, May 12, 2026
The enthronement of His Holiness Catholicos-Patriarch Shio III took place today at Svetitskhoveli Cathedral in Mtskheta.
During the solemn Divine Liturgy, the newly elected Patriarch received the symbols of authority, including the Patriarchal mitre, the Cross-Panagia, and the staff. At the conclusion of the main part of the enthronement service, the ancient Patriarchal mitre was placed on Patriarch Shio III, reports Interpress.
The service was celebrated by members of the Holy Synod and other clergy.
Pat. Shio was elected yesterday as Georgia’s 142nd Catholicos-Patriarch by the hierarchs of the Georgian Church. He received 22 votes out of 39. His Eminence Metropolitan Iob of Urbnisi and Ruisi received 9 votes, while His Eminence Metropolitan Grigol of Poti and Khobi received 7 votes.
The election became necessary following the repose of His Holiness Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia II on March 17, at the age of 93.
In his first sermon as the enthroned Georgian primate, Pat. Shio spoke about the challenges facing the Church in modern times. “Contemporary life places new difficulties before us—people’s hearts are estranged and cold. A thousand temptations replace faith, moral values, family and loved ones, therefore the burden of the Church’s pastoral ministry is twice as heavy,” he said.
The patriarch emphasized the need for the church to reach out beyond its walls. “It is necessary to widely open the church’s door to everyone, let us not wait for our neighbor to come only to the church pulpit, let us embrace our spiritual children beyond the temple walls, who, who knows, like the prodigal son, may not dare to come to us,” Patriarch Shio stated.
He called for the Church to share equally in the people’s joys and sorrows, saying: “We must serve and become a support for them, because the Church’s strength is not only in words, its calling is in Christ’s love and in bearing one another’s burdens.”
Speaking about the future generation, the Patriarch said: “The country’s tomorrow and our children are our future, they need our love, care and support the most. Christ’s faith, national values, respect for traditions, and a sense of responsibility before the nation and the Church must be strengthened in them.”
Christianity was declared the state religion of Georgia 1,700 years ago, and since then, Pat. Shio noted, “the Church has been a fortress of unity, identity, spiritual and state consciousness.”
Watch the Liturgy and enthronement service:
Follow OrthoChristian on Facebook, Twitter, Vkontakte, Telegram, WhatsApp, MeWe and Gab!
