Georgian Orthodox Church Elects Shio III as New Catholicos-Patriarch

Vatican City, May 15, 2026: A new chapter has begun for the Georgian Orthodox Church as Metropolitan Shio of Senaki and Chkhorotsku has been elected the new Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, succeeding the late Ilia II.

The election took place on May 11, less than two months after the death of Ilia II on March 17. The decision was made during a Synod meeting held at the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Tbilisi, attended by 1,200 delegates from across Georgia.

Born in Tbilisi 57 years ago as Elizbar Teimuraz Mujiri, the newly elected patriarch had long served as locum tenens of the patriarchal seat. He will take the name Shio III and will also assume the titles of Archbishop of Mtskheta-Tbilisi and Metropolitan of Abkhazia and Bichvinta.

The enthronement ceremony was held on Tuesday morning at the Svetitskhoveli Cathedral.

Messages of support and fraternity followed the announcement of his election, including a congratulatory message from Cardinal Kurt Koch, Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity.

“In the wake of the ancient and luminous spiritual heritage of the Georgian Church, illustrated by the witness and fidelity of its many saints,” Cardinal Koch wrote.

“May your ministry help strengthen the bonds of cordial friendship and promote an ever more fraternal dialogue between our Churches,” he continued.

“I am certain that your service will reinforce the bonds of charity and unity which, by the gift of the Spirit, truly unite all believers in Jesus Christ, even if not yet fully, so that the Lord’s commandment may become ever more visible: ‘Love one another as I have loved you’.”

Cardinal Koch was also part of the Holy See delegation that attended the funeral of Ilia II in Tbilisi on March 22, presided over by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I.

Shio III’s journey to the patriarchal office reflects both theological formation and cultural depth. Before entering monastic life, Mujiri earned a diploma in cello performance from the State Conservatory. He was tonsured as a monk in 1993, taking the name Shio, and was later ordained a deacon and then a priest in 1996.

After completing theological studies in Moscow, he served as an abbot in Tbilisi before being appointed bishop, archbishop, and later metropolitan in 2010.

Shortly before his election, Shio III reaffirmed the historic role of the Georgian Orthodox Church in national life.

“With the Lord’s help, the Georgian Orthodox Church—which has always been a unifying force for the nation, a defender of the true faith, of the Georgian language, of traditions, and of historical memory—will continue along this path,” he said.

Following the death of Ilia II, Pope Leo XIV had also sent a message on March 18 to locum tenens Shio, expressing prayers that the Lord would grant him “light, discernment, and strength, so that he may guide the Orthodox Church of Georgia with the same pastoral charity that inspired the late Patriarch.”

The election of Shio III marks a significant moment for the Georgian Orthodox Church as it continues its spiritual and historical mission under new leadership.

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Courtesy: Vatican News