The US State Department delegation met with the new Patriarch of Georgia Shio

A delegation from the U.S. Department of State visited the patriarchal residence in Tbilisi for official talks with the newly elected Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia Shio. During the meeting, the two sides discussed strengthening bilateral relations and emphasized the significant role of the Georgian Orthodox Church in the life of the country.

According to the Orthodoxia.info news portal, representatives of the American side congratulated the Primate on his recent enthronement. The delegation included diplomats Charles Yockey and Peter Andreoli, as well as Chargé d’Affaires Alan Purcell. During the conversation, special attention was paid to common Christian values and the Church’s historical contribution to the development of the Georgian state.

The participants of the meeting expressed their mutual intention to continue and deepen cooperation in various areas. At the conclusion of the visit, Patriarch Shio invited the American delegation to take part in the upcoming celebrations timed to coincide with the significant date — the 1700th anniversary of the proclamation of Christianity as the state religion of Georgia.