Metropolitan Shio Mujiri became the Metropolitan of the Georgian Orthodox Church

After the death of Patriarch Ilia II, Metropolitan Shio (Mujiri) of Senaki and Chkorotsku has become the new abbot of the Georgian Orthodox Church. The decision on his appointment actually came into effect on the basis of a 2017 decree that defined his status as a key figure in the church hierarchy even during the Patriarch’s lifetime.

According to Religion Today, Metropolitan Shio was born on February 1, 1969 in Tbilisi and took monasticism in 1993. His spiritual path included consecutive service in the ranks of hierodeacon, hieromonk and hegumen. The education of the future head of the Church is inextricably linked with the leading schools of the Church: he graduated from the Batumi Theological Seminary, and then continued his studies at the Moscow Theological Academy and the Orthodox Svyato-Tikhonovsky University for the Humanities.

As noted in the materials of the source Religion Today, while studying in Moscow, Vladyka Shio combined the educational process with service in the Georgian parish of the Church of Great Martyr George. His archdiocesan ministry began in 2003 with his election as bishop of the newly formed Senaki and Chkorotsku diocese. In 2010 he was elevated to the dignity of Metropolitan and appointed Administrator of Georgian parishes in Australia.

Metropolitan Shio’s appointment as patriarchal locum tenens in 2017 was a landmark event, effectively making him the first person in the hierarchy of the Georgian Orthodox Church due to the health condition of Patriarch Ilia. Now, after the demise of the Primate, Vladyka Shio assumes his duties in full.

Let us remind you that on March 17, 2026, Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia Ilia II passed away at the 93rd year of his life. The death of the outstanding spiritual leader, who led the Church for almost half a century, was officially confirmed by Metropolitan Shio (Mujiri) of Senaki and Chkhorotskuia, the Patriarchal Sublate.