New Patriarch Shio III announces enthronement ceremony for Tuesday at Svetitskhoveli Cathedral

Georgia’s newly elected Catholicos-Patriarch, Shio III, has announced that his enthronement ceremony will take place on Tuesday at Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, with the liturgy due to begin at 10:00 local time.

Speaking shortly after his election by the expanded Church Council, Shio III thanked members of the Holy Synod for what he described as the “great trust” placed in him.

“I thank the bishops of the Holy Synod of the Georgian Orthodox Church for the immense confidence shown towards me,” he said.

The new patriarch also expressed gratitude to delegates, clergy, guests and the Georgian public for their support, prayers and solidarity, while paying special tribute to the clergy and parishioners of the Senaki and Chkhorotsku Diocese, where he previously served as metropolitan.

Shio III described the patriarchal office as both “a great blessing” and “a heavy responsibility”.

“The cross of patriarchal leadership is blessed, but also deeply burdensome and responsible,” he said.

He added that he was conscious both of the honour attached to the position and of his own “human weakness and limitations”, calling on believers to pray for him and for the future of the Georgian Orthodox Church.

“Pray for our Church’s future, so that with unity, peace and love we may glorify God and worthily continue serving the Church and the nation,” he said.

The patriarch explained that, according to Church tradition, the enthronement of a newly elected Catholicos-Patriarch should take place on the first Sunday or major feast day following election.

For that reason, the Church selected the feast marking the arrival of Saint Andrew the First-Called in Georgia and the celebration associated with Georgia’s share under the protection of the Virgin Mary as the date for the ceremony.

Shio III was elected earlier on Monday during the 14th expanded Church Council of the Georgian Orthodox Apostolic Autocephalous Church.

He secured 22 votes from members of the Holy Synod, defeating Metropolitan Iobi, who received nine votes, and Metropolitan Grigoli, who secured seven votes. One ballot was declared invalid.