The President of Georgia congratulated Metropolitan Shio on his election as Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia.

“The election of a new spiritual leader for our Church is an event of the greatest national and spiritual significance, as it is directly linked to the spiritual life, unity, and centuries-old traditions of our motherland and people.

I believe that under your leadership, the Georgian Orthodox Church will become even stronger. The role of the Catholicos-Patriarch promoting peace, love, and mutual respect in society is immeasurable. I believe that your service will be founded precisely upon these values.

Your Holiness, I wish you a fruitful and God-blessed ministry. May your service become the foundation for many good deeds for our Church, motherland, and every citizen. I sincerely wish that you worthily continue the legacy of the nation’s main pillar, His Holiness and Beatitude, Ilia II.

May God be the protector of you and all of Georgia”, - reads the statement of Mikheil Kavelashvili.