Serbian Patriarch Porfiry congratulated the newly elected Catholicos-Patriarch of Georgia Shio

Patriarch Porfiry, Primate of the Serbian Orthodox Church, sent an official congratulatory message to Metropolitan Shio of Senaki and Chhorotsk on his election to the throne of Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia. In his address, the Serbian High Patriarch emphasized the significance of this event not only for the Georgian people, but also for the entire Orthodox world.

According to the Orthodoxia news agency, Patriarch Porfiry called the election of a new Primate to the ancient throne of the Georgian patriarchs «an expression of God’s favor». He noted that in the person of Vladyka Shio the full flock of St. Nina the Equal-to-the-Apostles has found a good shepherd and a tireless teacher.

The congratulatory text expresses confidence that Metropolitan Shio’s new ministry will be a living testimony of strength, love and wisdom. Patriarch Porfiry emphasized that the new Primate is called to become a worthy successor to the blessedly departed Patriarch Ilia II and other prominent spiritual figures of Georgia, who wisely guided the Church ship through the storms and historical trials of the past centuries.

At the conclusion of his message, the Primate of the Serbian Church, on behalf of the hierarchs, clergy and faithful people of St. Sava Church, wished Catholicos-Patriarch Shio that his forthcoming ministry would contribute to the glory of God and the building up of both the Georgian Orthodox Church and the entire fullness of universal Orthodoxy.