Full Breakdown
Shio III Elected Patriarch of the Georgian Orthodox Church
5/12/2026, 5:18:51 AM
Succession Overview
Patriarch Ilia II, head of the Georgian Orthodox Church for 49 years, died on 17 March 2026 at age 93. The Holy Synod of 39 bishops met at the Holy Trinity (Sameba) Cathedral in Tbilisi on 11 May 2026 to elect his successor. Three metropolitans—Shio (Mujiri), Iob Akiashvili, Grigol Berbichashvili—were nominated; a candidate needed at least 20 votes.
Shio III – Biography
Elizbar Mujiri, born 1 February 1969 in Tbilisi, studied cello at the Tbilisi State Conservatoire before joining Shio-Mgvime Monastery in 1991. He became a monk in 1993, deacon (1995), priest (1996), and earned theological degrees in Georgia and at Moscow’s Saint Tikhon’s Orthodox University, completing a doctorate in 2015. He served as bishop (2003), archbishop (2009), metropolitan (2010) and was named locum tenens by Ilia II in 2017.
Election Results
All 39 bishops cast ballots. Shio III received 22 votes (55 %); Iob Akiashvili received 9; Grigol Berbichashvili received 7 (some reports list 5); one ballot was invalid. The 22-vote majority avoided a second round. Shio’s enthronement is scheduled for 12 May 2026 at Svetitskhoveli Cathedral in Mtskheta.
Why the Patriarchate Matters
About 89 % of Georgians identify as Orthodox, making the Church a major social force. It shapes language policy, historical memory, and legislation on abortion and LGBT issues. The election occurs amid protests against the ruling Georgian Dream party and debate over Georgia’s West-Russia orientation.
Official Statements
The Synod announced the Church will “continue the path of unity, faith and the defense of the Georgian language, traditions and historical memory.” President Mikheil Kavelashvili called the election “an event of great national and spiritual importance.” Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze said the new Patriarch will support national unity, public consensus, spiritual peace and stable development. Metropolitan Epiphanius I of Ukraine also sent congratulations.
Criticism and Opposition
Opponents argue Shio III is the favored candidate of the ruling Georgian Dream party and has close ties to Moscow’s Russian Orthodox Church. Archbishop Zenon Iarajuli called him “the preferred candidate of both Russia and the Georgian government.” Critics also accuse him of building parallel structures within the Patriarchate and of pursuing hard-line policies on abortion and gender that align the Church with the state’s conservative agenda.
Conflicting Reports and Gaps
Sources differ on the vote count for Metropolitan Grigol Berbichashvili—seven votes in most accounts, five in others. Shio III has not issued a public statement on the Georgian Church’s stance toward the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU), leaving his position on that pan-Orthodox dispute unclear.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I accept my election as Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia with humility, with the grace and hope of God.” — Shio III, election day
- “Your Holiness and Beatitude, with the greatest respect and reverence, I congratulate you on your election as Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia.” — President Mikheil Kavelashvili
- “We believe that under the leadership of the new Patriarch, the Georgian Orthodox Church will worthily continue this historic mission and play an important role in achieving national unity, public consensus, spiritual peace, and the stable development of the country.” — Strong Georgia – Lelo
- “Your Holiness and Beatitude, Shio III, I sincerely congratulate you on being chosen for this highly honorable and highly responsible mission.” — Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze
- “Today, by the grace of God and the decision of the Holy Synod of the Georgian Orthodox Church, Metropolitan Shio (Mujiri) of Senaki and Chkhorotsku was elected the new Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia. I sincerely congratulate the newly elected primate of the sister Georgian Orthodox Church on assuming this high and responsible ministry.” — Metropolitan Epiphanius I of Ukraine
