Georgian Orthodox Church

Georgia marks 1,700 years of Christianity with nationwide anniversary events

Georgia is marking this year the 1,700th anniversary of the proclamation of Christianity as the state religion through a broad series of cultural and educational events, Imedi News agency reported. The programme was finalised during a meeting of the joint commission of the Georgian government and the Patriarchate of Georgia. The commission is co-chaired by…

May 22, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Thousands join Family Marches across Georgia as Patriarch Shio celebrates first Liturgy

Tens of thousands of Georgians took part in family marches on Sunday in several cities across the country. Following the rally in Tbilisi, Patriarch Shio III of Georgia celebrated his first Divine Liturgy at the Patriarchal Cathedral in the Georgian capital since his enthronement. “Why did God grant man family life? In order to lead…

May 20, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

New Georgian Patriarch Shio III calls for Church to embrace those ‘outside its walls’

“We must open wide the doors of the Church to everyone. We must also embrace our spiritual children who are outside the walls of the Church and who, like the prodigal son, perhaps do not dare to come to us,” said Patriarch Shio III of Georgia on Tuesday during his enthronement ceremony. The service took…

May 13, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Metropolitan Shio of Senaki and Chkhorotsku elected 142nd Patriarch of Georgia

His Eminence Metropolitan Shio of Senaki and Chkhorotsku was elected Patriarch of Georgia on Monday, becoming the 142nd primate of the Georgian Orthodox Church. According to Georgian media, His Eminence received 22 of 39 votes. The other two candidates — Metropolitan Iobi of Urbnisi and Ruisi received 9 votes, while Metropolitan Grigol of Poti and…

May 11, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Georgian Church marks nine-day memorial for Patriarch Ilia II, highlights role in autocephaly recognition

Patriarch Ilia II of Georgia was commemorated on Wednesday, nine days after his repose, during a memorial service at the Patriarchal Sioni Cathedral in Tbilisi. The service was officiated by Metropolitan Shio of Senaki and Chkhorotsku, together with members of the Holy Synod of the Georgian Orthodox Church, in the presence of Georgia’s president, prime…

Mar 28, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Patriarchate delegation meets Georgian Church hierarchs after Patriarch Ilia II funeral

A delegation of the Romanian Patriarchate that attended the funeral of Patriarch Ilia II was received on Monday afternoon at the headquarters of the Patriarchate of Georgia for a meeting with the Locum Tenens of the Patriarchal Throne and other Georgian hierarchs. Metropolitan Shio of Senaki and Chkhorotsku, Locum Tenens of the Patriarchal Throne, welcomed…

Mar 26, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Ecumenical Patriarch says no one identified more with Georgia than Patriarch Ilia II

His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I said on Sunday in Tbilisi that no one had identified more closely with Georgia than Patriarch Ilia II of blessed memory. In his address at the funeral service for Patriarch Ilia, His All-Holiness underscored the magnitude of the loss, stating: “How could we not deeply mourn the departure of…

Mar 26, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Tens of thousands attend funeral of Georgian Patriarch Ilia II

The funeral of Patriarch Ilia II of Georgia took place on Sunday at 12:30 local time, drawing tens of thousands of mourners. The burial service was officiated by His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I, concelebrating with Metropolitan Shio of Senaki and Chkhorotsku (Mujiri), Locum Tenens of the Patriarchal Throne of the Georgian Orthodox Church, together…

Mar 24, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriach Daniel: Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia II of Georgia – A Wise and Humble Spiritual Shepherd

His Beatitude Father Daniel, Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church, issued a message on the occasion of the funeral of His Beatitude Ilia II, Catholicos-Patriarch of the Georgian Orthodox Church, held on Sunday in Tbilisi. The Primate of the Church of Romania stated that Patriarch Ilia II “guided with wisdom and steadfastness the faithful Georgian…

Mar 22, 2026basilica.ro

Georgian Church calls for faith, repentance and unity after Patriarch Ilia II’s passing

The Holy Synod of the Georgian Orthodox Church has called on the people of Georgia to embrace repentance, unity, and spiritual renewal following the passing of Patriarch Ilia II. “Today, our love for the Patriarch must be shown by following his long-standing exhortations; first of all, by confessing our sins before God and one another,…

Mar 20, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Georgia to bury Patriarch Ilia II on March 22 at Sioni Cathedral in Tbilisi

His Beatitude Patriarch Ilia II of Georgia will be laid to rest on Sunday, 22 March, at the Sioni Cathedral of the Dormition of the Theotokos in Tbilisi, the Georgian Orthodox Church announced. The decision was presented by Metropolitan Jobi of Urbnisi and Ruisi, who described the late patriarch as “an epochal figure” with immeasurable…

Mar 19, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu