Standing before you today, with humility and reverence, I once again offer thanks to the Most Merciful Lord for the great honor of the Catholicos-Patriarchate, said His Holiness and Beatitude Shio III, Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, Archbishop of Mtskheta-Tbilisi, and Metropolitan of Bichvinta and Tskhum-Abkhazia, during his sermon at the Holy Trinity Patriarchal Cathedral in Tbilisi.

As the Patriarch noted, he is fully aware of the greatness of this calling, and the prayerful support he receives gives him even greater spiritual strength and assistance in this highly responsible time.

“With brotherly unity and love, we have gathered today in the Holy Trinity Cathedral to glorify the Most Merciful Lord in peace and gratitude. I extend special greetings to the representatives of the local Orthodox Churches. I sincerely thank you for coming on this important day. Your presence, prayers, and support are a testament to the spiritual unity of our Churches and the Christ-like love between us. We believe that it is precisely through this unity and fullness that the faith and the unity of our Churches will be strengthened.

Standing before you today, with humility and reverence, I once again give thanks to the Most Merciful Lord for the great honor of the Catholicos-Patriarchate. Of course, on the one hand, I am aware of the greatness of this calling and the weight of the cross; on the other hand, I feel my own human frailty and weakness. Therefore, your prayerful support gives me even greater spiritual strength and assistance in this highly responsible time. I would especially like to thank the Georgian people, our spiritual children, our clergy, and many monastics for their prayers, support, and love, which have strengthened and encouraged us in these days and given us strength and resilience,” said the Patriarch.