Archbishop John of Albania congratulated Shio III on his election to the throne of Patriarch of Georgia

Archbishop John of Tirana, Durres and All Albania sent an official congratulatory message to the new Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia Shio III on the occasion of his election to the throne of the Georgian Orthodox Church. The head of the Albanian Church expressed his sincere joy on this historic event and emphasized the importance of the ministry of the 142nd Primate for the entire Orthodox community.

According to Orthodoxia News Agency, Archbishop John noted in his letter that the ascension to the holy throne of the historic autocephalous Apostolic Orthodox Church of Georgia is a blessed moment, and expressed confidence that the new Patriarch will contribute to the spiritual progress and fruitful development of the Georgian people, while strengthening the unity and witness of Orthodoxy in today’s long-suffering world.

The Primate of the Albanian Church also touched upon the issue of succession, mentioning the legacy of the late Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia II. He expressed his conviction that Patriarch Shio III will successfully continue the works of his predecessor. Archbishop John concluded his message by emphasizing the strong fraternal ties between the Albanian and Georgian Churches, sharing the festive mood of the faithful of Georgia on the occasion of the election of the new Primate.