The election of the 142nd Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia took place at the Holy Trinity Cathedral (Sameba) in Tbilisi. Metropolitan Shio (Mujiri), who had been appointed Locum Tenens (acting head) of the patriarchal throne during the lifetime of Ilia II, was chosen for the position.
The election ceremony for the new Patriarch was held in an expanded format, with approximately 1,200 delegates in attendance.
These included not only members of the clergy from dioceses, monasteries, seminaries, and theological academies but also public figures and representatives from academic circles.
However, only the high-ranking church hierarchs—the 39 members of the Holy Synod—held voting rights. To become the new Patriarch of All Georgia, a candidate needed to secure at least half of the votes (20).
The votes among the three candidates were distributed as follows:
One ballot was declared invalid.
The opening of the council, the voting process, and the announcement of the results were broadcast live, while the vote counting and speeches took place behind closed doors.
All three candidates were entitled to a five-minute speech. Only one delegate from each diocese was permitted to speak, with a time limit of three minutes.
Addressing the church council, Metropolitan Shio stated that the Georgian Orthodox Church must maintain its historical role as a unifying force and the guardian of national identity:
“Today we stand before a historic event—against the backdrop of the storms of modern life, vast historical experience, and the service of God-chosen individuals, our choice is particularly responsible before God and the people.
Yet, this duty also grants us strength and hope that, with God’s help, the Georgian Orthodox Church—which has always been the unifying force of the people and the guardian of the true faith, the Georgian language, traditions, and historical memory—will continue on this path in the future.”
Following his election and assuming the name Shio III, the high-ranking hierarch stated that he accepts his service as the head of the Georgian Orthodox Church “in obedience, with God’s grace and hope.”
According to Metropolitan Shio, he recognizes, on one hand, the greatness of this calling and the honor bestowed upon him, and on the other, his own “human limitations and infirmity.”
“It is difficult for me at this moment to express my spiritual state, thoughts, and feelings to you. This is both a great honor and a heavy cross.”
The enthronement of the new Catholicos-Patriarch will take place on May 12 at the Svetitskhoveli Cathedral in the ancient city of Mtskheta. According to the church charter, the inauguration ceremony for the new primate of the GOC must take place on the first religious holiday following the election. The Georgian Orthodox Church celebrates the Feast of Saint Andrew the First-Called on May 12.
The divine service preceding the official enthronement of the Patriarch at Svetitskhoveli will begin at 10 a.m. It is not yet known whether representatives of other autocephalous (local) Orthodox churches will attend the ceremony.
Previously, high-level delegations from various countries, including Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew (Church of Constantinople), arrived in Tbilisi to bid farewell to Catholicos Ilia II, who passed away on March 17.
The 142nd Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, Shio (born Elizbar Mujiri), was born in Tbilisi in 1969 (57 years old). He was the youngest of the three candidates.
Back in 2017, amid declining health, Ilia II appointed Shio as the Locum Tenens of the patriarchal throne. Since then, the Metropolitan’s influence within the church hierarchy has grown significantly.
During the Holy Synod meeting on April 28, 2026, where candidates for the patriarchy were nominated, Shio received the majority of votes—he was supported by 20 out of the 38 delegates present. Metropolitans Iov and Grigol received 7 votes each at that time.
The previous Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, Ilia II, passed away on March 17 at the age of 93. According to the charter of the Georgian Orthodox Church, the election of a new Patriarch must take place no earlier than 40 days and no later than two months after the death of the predecessor.
Ilia II led the GOC for nearly half a century. The last time a vote to elect a Catholicos-Patriarch and the enthronement of a primate of the Orthodox Church took place in Georgia was in December 1977.
