Head of OCU congratulates newly elected Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia Shio

The head of the OCU, Epifaniy Dumenko, sent official congratulations to Metropolitan Shio Mujiri on his election as the new head of the Georgian Orthodox Church. According to the Orthodox Times, the head of the OCU called this appointment a «high and responsible calling» to the high priestly ministry for the benefit of the Georgian people.

«I sincerely congratulate the newly elected Primate of the sister Georgian Orthodox Church on accepting the exalted ministry for the salvation of the flock and the fullness of the Church,» the head of the OCU said.

Special attention in the message was paid to the legacy of the late Patriarch Ilia II. Dumenko emphasized that his many years of activity became a standard of devotion to the Church and spiritual care for people, and his contribution to the preservation of the Orthodox faith and the dignity of peoples will forever remain in the world history of Orthodoxy.

In conclusion, the head of the OCU wished the newly elected Patriarch Shio many years of blessed service, spiritual strength and God’s help in leading the Church. He expressed hope that the Lord would bless this new stage in the life of Georgian Orthodoxy and guide it along the path of truth, love and peace.