Shio III formally enthroned as Catholicos-Patriarch of Georgia

The enthronement of Shio III, the newly elected Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, Archbishop of Mtskheta-Tbilisi and Metropolitan of Bichvinta and Tskhum-Abkhazia, has taken place at Svetitskhoveli Cathedral.

During the ceremonial liturgy, the new Patriarch was presented with the symbols of patriarchal authority, including the patriarchal mitre, the kukul-bartyuli head covering, the cross-panagia and the pastoral staff. He was also crowned with the ancient patriarchal mitre.

On 11 May, Shio Mujiri, previously serving as the Locum Tenens of the Patriarchal Throne and Metropolitan of Senaki and Chkhorotsku, was elected as the 142nd Catholicos-Patriarch of Georgia at an expanded council of the Georgian Orthodox Church.

Shio III now becomes the spiritual head of the Georgian Orthodox Church.