Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus’ has sent a message of congratulations on the election of Shio III as the Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia. Patriarch Kirill noted that this event has become a source of “bright Paschal joy” for believers who share a spiritual bond with Georgia, which he referred to as “the domain of the Most Holy Theotokos.” He emphasized the historical and spiritual closeness of the Russian and Georgian Orthodox Churches, noting their shared witness to the Gospel truth and fidelity to Orthodox tradition. Patriarch Kirill also expressed hope for the continuation and strengthening of fraternal relations between the two churches during the new patriarchal ministry, highlighting the importance of maintaining the traditions established under previous primates, particularly the Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, Ilia II. In conclusion […]
Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus’ sent a message of congratulations on the election of Shio III as the Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia.
Patriarch Kirill noted that this event has become a source of “bright Paschal joy” for believers who share a spiritual bond with Georgia, which he referred to as “the domain of the Most Holy Theotokos.”
He emphasized the historical and spiritual closeness of the Russian and Georgian Orthodox Churches, noting their shared witness to the Gospel truth and fidelity to Orthodox tradition.
Patriarch Kirill also expressed hope for the continuation and strengthening of fraternal relations between the two churches during the new patriarchal ministry, highlighting the importance of maintaining the traditions established under previous primates, particularly the Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, Ilia II.
In concluding his message, Patriarch Kirill wished the newly elected Patriarch Shio health and divine assistance in his ministry, expressing hope for a “peaceful and blessed patriarchate.”
“To His Eminence, the Most Reverend Shio, Metropolitan of Senaki and Chkhorotsqu, elected Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia
Your Eminence, dear Vladyka!
Christ is Risen!
I cordially congratulate you on your election as the Primate of the Georgian Orthodox Church. The news of this event has increased the bright Paschal joy in the hearts of the children of our Church, who hold a sincere love for Iveria [Georgia], the domain of the Most Holy Theotokos.
By God’s Providence, our sister Churches have been linked throughout their shared history, zealously witnessing to the Gospel truth and steadfastly preserving the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints (Jude 1:3).
Having visited Georgia many times and received dear guests from the land of Iveria, I have always felt the deep spiritual closeness of our peoples of the same faith.
I pray that, with God’s help, the traditions of fraternal communication established under your venerable predecessors—especially under the late Holy and Blessed Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia Ilia II, who was revered throughout the Orthodox world—will find a worthy continuation in your Primatial ministry.
From the bottom of my heart, I wish you good health and inexhaustible help from above for many blessed years of a peaceful and blessed Patriarchate.
With brotherly love in the Lord,
+KIRILL, PATRIARCH OF MOSCOW AND ALL RUS,” the congratulatory message reads.
It should be noted that the new Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia (the 142nd in the country’s history) was elected at the 14th expanded assembly in the Sameba (Holy Trinity) Cathedral on May 11, 2026. The Locum Tenens of the patriarchal throne, Shio Mudzhiri, was chosen and will henceforth be known as Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia Shio III.
Up to 1,200 delegates took part in the expanded 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 induction into office in the Georgian Orthodox Church must take place on the first religious holiday following the conclusion of the 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. Starting March 18, a civil funeral service was held at the Sameba Cathedral. Thousands of citizens paid their respects to the Georgian Patriarch. Throughout the days of mourning, a continuous stream of people wishing to say farewell to the head of the GOC flowed 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 influx of parishioners in order to enter the church by morning.
Ilia II was buried on March 22 in the Sioni Cathedral.
To organize the funeral and ensure security during the mourning days, a state commission was established, headed by the Prime Minister of Georgia, which included members of the government and three representatives of the Georgian Orthodox Church. The Patriarchate also noted that on the day of the funeral, only those with special passes could enter the Sameba Cathedral.
Ilia II was elected Catholicos-Patriarch on December 23, 1977. His Holiness’s enthronement took place on December 25, 1977.
Enthronement of the new Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia to take place in Svetitskhoveli