Georgian President wishes God-blessed ministry to Patriarch Shio III

Georgian president Mikheil Kavelashvili on Monday congratulated Metropolitan Shio on his election as Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia.

In an official statement, president Kavelashvili expressed “great respect and humility” while congratulating the newly elected Patriarch, describing the appointment of a new spiritual leader for the Georgian Orthodox Church as an event of “immense national and spiritual importance”.

The president noted that the election is directly connected to the spiritual life, unity, and centuries-old traditions of the Georgian people and the country as a whole.

“I believe that under your leadership, the Georgian Orthodox Church will become even stronger”, Kavelashvili said in the statement. He also emphasised the significant role of the Catholicos-Patriarch in promoting peace, love, and mutual respect within society, expressing confidence that Metropolitan Shio’s service would be founded on these values.

The president wished the Patriarch a fruitful and God-blessed ministry, adding that his work would become the foundation for many good deeds for the Church, the homeland, and every citizen of Georgia.

Kavelashvili also expressed hope that the new Patriarch would worthily continue the legacy of Ilia II, whom he described as “the nation’s main pillar”.

“May God be the protector of you and all of Georgia”, the statement concluded.