Catholicos-Patriarch Shio III hosts delegation from Ecumenical Patriarchate

Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, His Holiness and Beatitude Shio III, received a delegation from the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople at the Patriarchal Residence in Tbilisi.

According to an official statement issued by the Georgian Orthodox Church, Metropolitan Arsenios (Kardamakis) of Austria, Exarch of Hungary and Central Europe, accompanied by Chorepiscopus Maximos, led the Ecumenical delegation.

During the audience, Patriarch Shio III, Archbishop of Mtskheta-Tbilisi and Metropolitan of Bichvinta and Tskhum-Abkhazia, discussed inter-church relations and bilateral cooperation with the visiting delegation.

Senior members of the Georgian Orthodox hierarchy attending the meeting included Chorepiscopus Theodore (Chuadze), Metropolitan of Akhaltsikhe and Tao-Klarjeti; Metropolitan Gerasime (Sharashenidze) of Zugdidi and Tsaishi, Head of the Patriarchate’s Foreign Affairs Department; Protopresbyter Giorgi Zviadadze; Archpriest Andria Jaghmaidze, Head of the Public Relations Department; and Archpriest Archil Khachidze, Deputy Head of Foreign Affairs.

Discussions focused on relations between the autocephalous churches and the pastoral care that Metropolitan Arsenios provides to the Georgian Orthodox parish in Austria. Patriarch Shio and senior clergy thanked the Metropolitan for his ongoing support of the diaspora community. The delegation also paid tribute to the legacy and long-standing ministry of Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia II.

At the conclusion of the audience, the parties exchanged commemorative gifts, and the delegation expressed its gratitude for the warm reception. Approximately 50 pilgrims, who are touring Georgia’s holy sites, accompanied Metropolitan Arsenios on his visit.