The enthronement (intronization) ceremony of the newly elected Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, Metropolitan of Mtskheta-Tbilisi and Bichvinta-Tskhum-Abkhazia, Shio III, has been completed at Svetitskhoveli Cathedral in Mtskheta.
The festive service began at 10:00, led by members of the Holy Synod and other high-ranking clergy. During the ritual, the new Patriarch received the traditional symbols of authority, including the patriarchal mitre, head covering, pectoral cross, and pastoral staff.
Shio (Mujiri), formerly the locum tenens of the Patriarchal Throne and Metropolitan of Senaki and Chkhorotsku, was elected the 142nd Catholicos-Patriarch of the Georgian Orthodox Church on 11 May during an expanded ecclesiastical council.
The ceremony at Svetitskhoveli was attended by members of the Georgian government and cabinet, as well as Bidzina Ivanishvili, founder of the ruling Georgian Dream party.
The election of a new Patriarch became necessary following the passing of Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia II on 17 March 2026, at the age of 93. Ilia II led the Georgian Orthodox Church for nearly half a century.
