“Today, a historic page has been turned in the life of our nation and Church – the Georgian Apostolic Autocephalous Orthodox Church has a new spiritual leader. I congratulate all of Georgia on the election of the Catholicos-Patriarch!” stated Prime Minister of Georgia, Irakli Kobakhidze.

The Head of Government congratulates His Holiness and Beatitude Shio III on his distinguished service in this highly honourable and responsible mission.

“Your Holiness and Beatitude, Shio III, I extend my deepest respect and congratulations on being chosen for this highly honourable and highly responsible mission. We believe that you will worthily continue the great spiritual legacy that our Holiness and Beatitude, Ilia II, built over decades with exceptional wisdom and love.

The Mother Church has always been an unwavering pillar of Georgia’s statehood and the spiritual strength of the nation. It is the Orthodox faith that has preserved the eternal values which have carried our country to the present day. I believe that your shepherdship will serve the peaceful, united and strong future of our homeland.

May God protect our country and its new spiritual father!” the Prime Minister stated.

The Georgian Orthodox Church recently elected His Holiness Shio as the 142nd Catholicos-Patriarch of Georgia.

The bishops cast their votes amongst three candidates. The results of the ballot were as follows: the locum tenens of the Patriarchal throne, Metropolitan Shio of Senaki and Chkhorotsku (Mujiri) received 22 votes; Metropolitan Iobi of Mroveli-Urbnisi (Akiashvili) received nine votes; and Metropolitan Grigoli of Poti and Khobi (Berbichashvili) received seven votes.