Metropolitan Epiphanius of Kyiv and All Ukraine has congratulated the newly elected Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, Shio III, noting the significance of his election for the Georgian Orthodox Church and expressing gratitude for the many years of service of his predecessor, Ilia II. “The newly elected Patriarch assumes his ministry following the long-standing contribution of his predecessor of blessed memory, Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia II, whose life and work became an example of faithfulness to Christ, devoted service to the Church, and spiritual care for his people. His contribution to the preservation of the Orthodox faith, church traditions, and support for the dignity and freedom of nations will forever remain in the history of Orthodoxy,” the statement reads. The Metropolitan of Kyiv emphasized that the newly elected Primate is undertaking a high and responsible ministry associated with spiritual leadership and pastoral care for the Georgian people and the fullness of the Church. […]
Metropolitan Epiphanius of Kyiv and All Ukraine congratulated the newly elected Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, Shio III, noting the significance of his election for the Georgian Orthodox Church and expressing gratitude for the many years of service of his predecessor, Ilia II.
“The newly elected Patriarch assumes his ministry following the long-standing contribution of his predecessor of blessed memory, Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia II, whose life and work became an example of faithfulness to Christ, devoted service to the Church, and spiritual care for his people.
His contribution to the preservation of the Orthodox faith, church traditions, and support for the dignity and freedom of nations will forever remain in the history of Orthodoxy,” the statement reads.
The Metropolitan of Kyiv emphasized that the newly elected Primate is undertaking a high and responsible ministry associated with spiritual leadership and pastoral care for the Georgian people and the fullness of the Church.
“I wish the newly elected Patriarch many blessed years of service, wisdom, spiritual strength, and God’s help in being a spiritual leader for the Georgian people. May the Lord bless this new stage in the life of the Georgian Orthodox Church and lead it on the path of truth, love, and peace,” the message says.
It is noted that Shio Mudzhiri, the Locum Tenens of the Patriarchal Throne, was elected as the new Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia (the 142nd in the country’s history) at the 14th extended assembly in the Sameba (Holy Trinity) Cathedral on May 11, 2026. From this day forward, he is Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia Shio III.
Up to 1,200 delegates participated in the extended assembly. Shio Mudzhiri received 22 votes, Metropolitan Iov received 9, and Metropolitan Grigol received 7 votes.
The enthronement of the new Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, Shio Mudzhiri — Shio III — will take place at the Svetitskhoveli Cathedral in Mtskheta on May 12. According to church statutes, the solemn ceremony of the new head’s inauguration in the Georgian Orthodox Church must take place on the first religious holiday following the conclusion of voting and the election of the new patriarch.
As a reminder, Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia Ilia II passed away on March 17 at the age of 93. A lying-in-state was held at the Sameba Cathedral starting March 18. Thousands of citizens paid their respects to the Georgian Patriarch. Throughout the mourning period, the flow of people wishing to say farewell to the head of the GOC was continuous, 24 hours a day.
In many cases, citizens had to stand in line for several hours to enter the cathedral. Some had to stay overnight on the grounds of Sameba due to the large flow of parishioners to ensure they could enter the cathedral by morning.
Ilia II was buried on March 22 in the Sioni Cathedral.
To organize the funeral and ensure security during the days of mourning, a state commission was created, headed by the Prime Minister of Georgia and including members of the government and three representatives of the Georgian Orthodox Church.
Ilia II was elected Catholicos-Patriarch on December 23, 1977. His Holiness’s enthronement took place on December 25, 1977.