“We believe that under the leadership of the new Patriarch, the Georgian Orthodox Church will worthily continue this historic mission and play an important role in achieving national unity, public consensus, spiritual peace, and the stable development of the country,” the coalition “Strong Georgia - Lelo” said in a statement.

According to the party, a strong and modern Georgian state is based on respect for democratic institutions, protection of religious freedom, and cooperation between the state and the Church founded on mutual respect.

“The Georgian Orthodox Church has a new leader - by decision of the Holy Synod, Shio III (Mujiri) has been elected Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, Archbishop of Mtskheta-Tbilisi, and Metropolitan of Bichvinta and Tskhum-Abkhazia.

The coalition ‘Strong Georgia - Lelo’ congratulates the Georgian Orthodox Church, the clergy, and all of Georgia on the election of the new Patriarch.

On this day, we especially honor the immense contribution of Ilia II to the Georgian state, the Church, and the Georgian people. His many years of service are linked to strengthening national identity, the revival of church and spiritual life, and constant efforts to unite society during the most difficult historical periods.

We believe that under the leadership of the new Patriarch, the Georgian Orthodox Church will worthily continue this historic mission and play an important role in achieving national unity, public consensus, spiritual peace, and the stable development of the country.

We firmly believe that a strong and modern Georgian state is based on respect for democratic institutions, the protection of religious freedom, and cooperation between the state and the Church grounded in mutual respect, where each institution serves the well-being of the country and society through its own responsibilities.

With God’s blessing, may the Georgian Orthodox Church, the newly elected Catholicos-Patriarch, and all of Georgia have peace, unity, and a dignified future,” the party stated.

The Georgian Church has elected a new Catholicos-Patriarch. The country’s 142nd Catholicos-Patriarch became the locum tenens of the Patriarchal Throne, Metropolitan Shio (Mujiri) of Senaki and Chkhorotsku. Bishop Shio received 22 votes.

As for the other patriarchal candidates, Metropolitan Iob of the Urbnisi and Ruisi Diocese received 9 votes, while Metropolitan Grigol of Poti and Khobi received 7 votes. One vote was annulled.

The Catholicos-Patriarch of Georgia was elected at an expanded Church Council.

According to the explanation of the expanded Church Council, the newly elected Patriarch was given the name Shio III.