A delegation from the Patriarchate of Constantinople visited Georgia

On October 1, 2026, a meeting took place in Tbilisi between Patriarch Shio III of Georgia and an official delegation from the Patriarchate of Constantinople. The visit was dedicated to strengthening interchurch relations and discussing the spiritual heritage of the Georgian Orthodox Church.

According to Orthodox Times, the delegation was led by Metropolitan Arsenius of Austria, Exarch of Hungary and Central Europe. During the talks, the parties paid special attention to the support that Metropolitan Arsenius provides to Georgian Orthodox parishes in Austria, for which representatives of the Georgian Patriarchate expressed their special gratitude.

The meeting was attended by high-ranking hierarchs of the Georgian Church, including Metropolitan Theodore of Akhaltsikhe and Tao-Klarjet, Metropolitan Gerasim of Zugdidi and Tsais, who heads the Department of External Church Relations, as well as representatives of the clergy.

In addition to the official portion, the visit also has a pilgrimage aspect: Metropolitan Arsenius arrived in Georgia accompanied by a group of 50 pilgrims. With the blessing of Georgian Patriarch Shio III, the delegation will visit significant holy sites throughout the country. The meeting concluded with an exchange of commemorative gifts and expressions of mutual gratitude for the warm welcome.

As a reminder, on September 30, 2026, a meeting took place at the Patriarchal Residence in Georgia between Catholicos-Patriarch Shio III of All Georgia and an official delegation from the Moscow Patriarchate. The delegation was led by Metropolitan Anthony of Volokolamsk, chairman of the Department for External Church Relations (DECR) of the Moscow Patriarchate.