Bidzina Ivanishvili, founder and honorary chairman of the Georgian Dream party, arrived at the Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, where the enthronement of the new Catholicos-Patriarch, Shio III, is underway.

The enthronement ceremony is also attended by government representatives and members of the Cabinet of Ministers. The enthronement service in the Svetitskhoveli Cathedral began at 10:00.

The Church of Georgia elected a new Catholicos-Patriarch yesterday at an expanded church council held at the Trinity Cathedral.

Metropolitan Shio (Mujiri) of Senaki and Chkhorotsku became the 142nd Catholicos-Patriarch of the country. His Holiness Shio received 22 votes. As for the other candidates for the patriarchate, Metropolitan Iobi of the Diocese of Urbnisi and Ruisi received 9 votes, and Metropolitan Grigol of Poti and Khobi received 7 votes. One vote was canceled.

The Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, His Holiness and Beatitude Ilia II, died on March 17, 2026 at the age of 93.