Patriarch of Georgia

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 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

Romanian Ambassador praises Patriarch Ilia II’s role in strengthening Orthodox ties

His Excellency Răzvan Rotundu, Romania’s ambassador to Georgia, has sent a message of condolence following the passing of Patriarch Ilia II of Georgia, highlighting his remarkable contribution to the life of the Orthodox Church and to inter-Orthodox relations. “May God rest the soul of His Beatitude Ilia, Catholicos-Patriarch of all Georgia, a distinguished spiritual leader…

Mar 19, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Metropolitan Shio, locum tenens: Patriarch Ilia was an epochal figure; great loss for Orthodox Church worldwide

“Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia Ilia II has fallen asleep in the Lord. He was a man of an epoch, and his passing is an immeasurable loss for the entire world Orthodox Church,” said Metropolitan Shio of Senaki and Chkhorotsku (Mujiri), Locum Tenens of the Patriarchal Throne. He created a whole epoch According to the website…

Mar 19, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Georgian Ambassador mourns Patriarch Ilia II, praises humility and ‘quiet strength’

The Ambassador of Georgia to Romania, Tamar Beruchashvili, said the late Patriarch Ilia II of Georgia was “a spiritual shepherd in the truest sense,” guiding his people with humility, wisdom and quiet strength through times of trial and change. Speaking to Basilica.ro after news of the patriarch’s death, she described it as “an immense loss…

Mar 19, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch of Romania congratulates Patriarch of Georgia on his 90th Birthday

His Beatitude Daniel, Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church, addressed a message of congratulation to Patriarch Ilia II of Georgia at his 90th Birthday. Bucharest, 4 January 2023 His Beatitude Ilia II, Archbishop of Mtskheta and Tbilisi, Metropolitan of Bichvinta and Tskhum-Abkhazia, Catholicos Patriarch of All Georgia Your Beatitude, On the occasion of your 90th…

Jan 4, 2023Sorin Ioniţe

Catholicos Patriarch Ilia II of Georgia: Saint Anthimos of Iberia demonstrated that ministry to God prevails over all

His Beatitude Ilia II, Catholicos Patriarch of All Georgia, conveyed a message on the occasion of the manifestations organized by the Romanian Patriarchate on the 300th anniversary of the martyrdom of St Anthimos the Ivirite, Metropolitan of Wallachia. The message was read out by His Eminence John, Metropolitan of Rustavi, representative of the Georgian Patriarch,…

Oct 4, 2016Aurelian Iftimiu