Georgia’s new Patriarch Shio III to visit Istanbul as Orthodox churches strengthen ties

Georgia’s new Patriarch Shio III to visit Istanbul as Orthodox churches strengthen ties
Catholic-Patriarch Shio III receives the representative of the World Patriarchate, Metropolitan of Chalkedon Emmanuel, 16 August 2026
Georgia Patriarchate

Georgia’s newly elected Catholicos-Patriarch Shio III is set to visit Istanbul, with the upcoming trip discussed during a meeting with Metropolitan Emmanuel of Chalcedon, a representative of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I.

Metropolitan Emmanuel met Shio III at the Patriarchate of Georgia on 16 August. The Georgian Patriarchate said the meeting focused largely on preparations for Shio III’s upcoming visit and the continuation of relations between the Georgian and Constantinople Orthodox Churches.

The meeting was described as taking place in a warm and friendly atmosphere.

Shio III: Georgia’s new Orthodox Patriarch

Shio III became Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia following the death of long-serving Patriarch Ilia II. He now leads the Georgian Orthodox Church, one of the country’s most influential religious institutions. It plays a significant role in Georgia’s predominantly Orthodox Christian society and has traditionally maintained close relations with other Orthodox Churches, including the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople.

During the meeting, Shio III recalled the funeral of Ilia II and thanked Patriarch Bartholomew for travelling to Georgia to attend the ceremony.

He also referred to Bartholomew’s congratulations following his own enthronement, saying the Ecumenical Patriarch’s words had been an important sign of support for the Georgian Church.

Istanbul visit

Metropolitan Emmanuel conveyed Bartholomew’s “fraternal greetings” to Shio III and congratulated him on his election.

He said the close relationship between the Patriarchates of Constantinople and Georgia was part of the legacy left by Ilia II.

“We await you with great joy,” Emmanuel said, according to the Georgian Patriarchate.

He also described Shio III’s election as a positive development for the continuation of the long-standing relationship between the two Churches.

The Georgian Patriarchate said the two sides discussed ways to continue and strengthen their fraternal relations.

The meeting was attended by several senior Georgian Orthodox clergy, including Metropolitan Theodor of Akhaltsikhe and Tao-Klarjeti, Metropolitan Saba of Khoni and Samtredia, Metropolitan Gerasime of Zugdidi and Tsaishi, and Metropolitan Andria of Gori and Athens.

At the end of the meeting, Shio III presented Metropolitan Emmanuel with gifts and a letter of thanks for Patriarch Bartholomew.

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