The U.S. Embassy in Georgia has released a statement by representatives of the U.S. State Department who visited and met with Patriarch Shio III on May 27.

According to the statement, the U.S. delegation emphasized the Christian virtues that have distinguished Georgian civilization for centuries through compassion and mercy, as well as the Church’s historic mission of serving as a voice of reconciliation among Georgians.

The delegation expressed hope that the Church would continue this mission of strengthening national unity with renewed spirit.

“It was an honor for the United States delegation to meet with His Holiness and Beatitude, Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, Shio III, at the Patriarchate in Tbilisi.

The delegation highlighted the civilizational ties that form the foundation of U.S.-Georgia relations. The United States regards Georgia’s fundamental values as the cornerstone of this friendship, including faith, family, national identity, and deep respect for God-given rights that uphold human dignity.

The U.S. delegation emphasized the Christian virtues that have distinguished Georgian civilization for centuries through compassion and mercy, as well as the Church’s historic mission of serving as a voice of reconciliation among Georgians. The delegation expressed hope that the Church would continue this mission of strengthening national unity with renewed spirit.

The United States looks forward to deepening its relationship with the Georgian Orthodox Church,” the statement reads.

As previously reported, on May 27, His Holiness and Beatitude, Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, Archbishop of Mtskheta-Tbilisi and Metropolitan of Bichvinta and Tskhum-Abkhazia, Shio III, received representatives of the U.S. State Department at the Patriarchal Residence.

Those who met with the Catholicos-Patriarch included U.S. State Department representatives Charles Yockey and Peter Andreoli, as well as accompanying officials and Alan Purcell, the Chargé d’Affaires of the United States in Georgia.