Andria Jagmaidze, head of the Public Relations Service of the Georgian Patriarchate, stated that the newly elected Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, Shio III, may raise the issue of releasing citizens detained during pro-European protests. The archpriest noted that this matter would be discussed with the authorities. “I previously said that we would raise this issue again and discuss it with the authorities. I confirm—yes, that will be the case. It is currently very difficult to talk about plans, when and what will happen,” Jagmaidze said. According to him, “today is a historic day.” “Today, the enthronement of the new Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia will take place. It is very symbolic that it coincides with the feast day of St. Andrew the First-Called. The foundation of our church is linked specifically to […]
Andria Jagmaidze, head of the Public Relations Service of the Georgian Patriarchate, stated that the newly elected Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, Shio III, may raise the issue of releasing citizens detained during pro-European protests.
The archpriest noted that this matter would be discussed with the authorities.
“I previously said that we would raise this issue again and discuss it with the authorities. I confirm—yes, that will be the case. It is currently very difficult to talk about plans, when and what will happen,” Jagmaidze stated.
According to him, “today is a historic day.”
“Today, the enthronement of the new Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia will take place. It is very symbolic that it coincides with the feast day of St. Andrew the First-Called. The foundation of our church is linked specifically to the Apostle Andrew. Therefore, today many things are joyful and complement one another,” stated Archpriest Jagmaidze.
It should be noted that the Patriarchal Locum Tenens (acting head of the church), Shio Mujiri, was elected as the new Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia (the 142nd in the country’s history) at the 14th expanded assembly in the Sameba (Holy Trinity) Cathedral on May 11, 2026. From that day, he is known as Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia Shio III.
Up to 1,200 delegates participated in the expanded assembly. Shio Mujiri received 22 votes, Metropolitan Iov received 9, and Metropolitan Grigol received 7 votes.
The enthronement of the new Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia Shio Mujiri — Shio III — will take place at the Svetitskhoveli Cathedral in Mtskheta on May 12. According to church statutes, the solemn ceremony of the new leader’s induction into office in the Georgian Orthodox Church must take place on the very 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. From March 18, a public wake was held at the Sameba Cathedral. Thousands of citizens paid their respects to the Georgian Patriarch. Throughout the days of mourning, the flow of people wishing to say farewell to the head of the GOC continued uninterrupted, 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 days of mourning, 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.
Ilia II was elected Catholicos-Patriarch on December 23, 1977. His Holiness’s enthronement took place on December 25, 1977.
