The newly enthroned Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, Shio III, a senior Georgian Orthodox Church hierarch widely associated with the Church’s socially conservative stance, particularly its opposition to LGBTQ+ Pride movements and broader “traditional values” discourse in Georgia, has said he cannot fully comprehend the divine will behind his elevation while emphasizing the “honor, greatness and weight” of the responsibility he now bears.
He leads the Georgian Orthodox Church following a historic election and enthronement process that has drawn congratulations from international partners and Orthodox leaders worldwide.
Following his election, the US Embassy in Georgia described the event as historic, noting it was the first patriarchal election since Georgia regained independence. In its statement, the Embassy extended “most heartfelt congratulations” to the Church and faithful, wishing him success and expressing interest in continued engagement with the Georgian Orthodox Church on shared cultural and civilizational goals.
The European Union Delegation to Georgia also congratulated Shio III, emphasizing the Church’s long historical role in preserving Georgian identity. It expressed confidence that his leadership would offer “moral clarity, reconciliation and hope” at a time of global uncertainty.
From the Orthodox world, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople sent a congratulatory message wishing him a “long, blessed and fruitful primacy,” calling for cooperation and unity among Orthodox Churches and praising the legacy of his predecessor, the late Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia II.
In his first sermon after enthronement at Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, Shio III reflected on the difficulty of spiritual leadership, saying he now understands more deeply the “thorny and heavy path” of his predecessor.
“It is impossible to discern the intention of the Lord… I am aware of its honor, its greatness and its weight,” he said, adding that he kneels “with filial love” before the spiritual heritage of past patriarchs.
He called on clergy and faithful to preserve Ilia II’s legacy, urging unity, faith, peace, and continued service to God, the nation, and humanity.
Shio III was elected at an expanded ecclesiastical council held at Holy Trinity Cathedral (Sameba Cathedral) on May 11, receiving 22 votes against Metropolitan Iobi (9) and Metropolitan Grigol (7), with one ballot annulled. He was officially enthroned on May 12 as the 142nd Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia following the death of Ilia II on March 17, 2026, at the age of 93, marking the end of one of the longest patriarchates in modern Orthodox history and the beginning of a new chapter for the Georgian Church.
By Team GT
