Ecumenical Patriarch congratulates Shio III on enthronement as Georgian Patriarch

Bartholomew I has congratulated Shio III on his election and enthronement as Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, expressing hope for a long and fruitful leadership.

In a letter released following the enthronement ceremony, the Ecumenical Patriarch said the Orthodox world had received the news of Shio III’s elevation with “great joy”.

Bartholomew I also paid tribute to the late Ilia II, describing his service to the Georgian Orthodox Church and global Orthodoxy as “historic”.

“With brotherly love, we congratulate Your Beatitude,” the letter said. “We pray that you are granted a long, blessed and fruitful primacy for the glory of God, for the wellbeing of your faithful flock, and for the peace and stability of the Georgian nation.”

The Ecumenical Patriarch also expressed hope for continued cooperation between the Georgian Orthodox Church and other Orthodox Churches in support of Orthodox unity and joint service to the wider world.

Shio III was enthroned on 12 May at Svetitskhoveli Cathedral.