The Georgian President Mikheil Kavelashvili has congratulated Shio III on his election as Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia.

In a statement, Kavelashvili said the election of a new spiritual leader for the Georgian Orthodox Church is an event of “great national and spiritual importance,” directly linked to the spiritual life, unity, and centuries-old traditions of the Georgian people.

“Your Holiness and Beatitude, with the greatest respect and reverence, I congratulate you on your election as Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia. The selection of a new spiritual leader for our Church is an event of immense national and spiritual significance, as it is directly connected to the spiritual life, unity, and centuries-old traditions of our homeland and people.

I believe that under your leadership the Georgian Orthodox Church will become even stronger. The role of the Catholicos-Patriarch in establishing peace, love, and mutual respect in society is immeasurable. I am confident that your work will be founded upon these very values.

Your Holiness, I wish you a fruitful and God-blessed service. May your work become the foundation for many good deeds for our Church, our homeland, and each of our compatriots. I sincerely wish that you worthily continue the legacy of the nation’s greatest pillar, His Holiness and Beatitude Ilia II.

May God be the protector of you and all of Georgia,” the President stated.