The U.S. delegation met with the Catholicos-Patriarch Shio III at the Patriarchate in Tbilisi on May 27, the U.S. Embassy in Georgia stated.

According to the embassy, the meeting underscored the longstanding ties between the United States and Georgia, as well as the role of shared values in the bilateral relationship.

“Following the meeting with His Holiness and Beatitude Shio III, Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, on May 27, visiting U.S. State Department officials issued the following statement:

The United States delegation was honored to meet with His Holiness and Beatitude Shio III at the Patriarchate in Tbilisi. The delegation highlighted the civilizational ties that underpin U.S.-Georgia relations and reaffirmed that the friendship between the two nations is rooted in shared values, including faith, family, national identity, and respect for the God-given rights that uphold human dignity.

The delegation also emphasized the Christian virtues that have shaped Georgian civilization for centuries, including compassion and mercy, and acknowledged the historic role of the Georgian Orthodox Church as a voice of reconciliation and unity.

U.S. officials expressed hope that the Church will continue to contribute to strengthening national unity and social cohesion. They further reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to advancing this relationship, noting that the United States looks forward to deepening its ties with the Georgian Orthodox Church,” the statement noted.