The Primate of the UOC congratulated the newly elected Patriarch of Georgia Shio III on his election

The Primate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC), His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphrius, has sent an official congratulatory message to the newly elected Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia Shio III. In his address, he expressed his hope for the strengthening of sisterly relations between the two Churches and the preservation of unity in the spirit of mutual love in Christ.

According to the press service of the UOC, the message was sent on May 12, 2026. Metropolitan Onuphrius called the election of the new head of the Georgian Church a testimony of high trust on the part of the episcopate, clergy and laity. According to the Primate of the UOC, this event marks the assumption of great responsibility for the purity of the Orthodox faith and the unity of the Church.

His Beatitude Onuphrius emphasized the importance of continuity, noting that sincere communication between the Churches was actively developed during the years of ministry of his predecessor, the late Patriarch Ilia II. In the congratulatory message it was noted that the Ukrainian Orthodox Church deeply respects the fidelity of the Georgian Church to the canonical order and the Holy Tradition. «We express the hope that the good and sincere relations between our Churches will continue to strengthen in the spirit of mutual respect, » the hierarch emphasized.

Metropolitan Onufry concluded his message by wishing the new Patriarch spiritual wisdom, God’s inexhaustible help and a peaceful and long-lasting ministry. He also invoked the intercession of the Most Holy Mother of God and St. Nina the Equal-to-the-Apostles on the Georgian flock.