TBILISI, May 12 – Georgia’s new Orthodox patriarch, Shio III, was enthroned Tuesday at Svetitskhoveli Cathedral in Mtskheta, opening a new chapter for one of the country’s most powerful institutions.
The festive service began at 10:00. During the liturgy, the new patriarch received the symbols of church authority: the patriarchal mitre, head covering, cross-panagia and staff. An ancient patriarchal mitre was also placed on him near the end of the central part of the ceremony.
Shio III was elected Monday at an expanded church council at Sameba Cathedral in Tbilisi. He received 22 votes. Metropolitan Job of Urbnisi and Ruisi received 9 votes, Metropolitan Grigol of Poti and Khobi received 7 votes, and one ballot was annulled.
He succeeds Ilia II, who died on March 17 at the age of 93 after leading the Georgian Orthodox Church for 38 years.
The new patriarch explained that the enthronement was held on May 12 because Georgian church tradition calls for a newly elected Catholicos-Patriarch to serve on the first Sunday or major feast day after his election. May 12 is marked by the Georgian Orthodox Church as the day of the arrival of Apostle Andrew in Georgia and the feast of Georgia as the allotted land of the Virgin Mary.
The ceremony was attended by government members, cabinet ministers and Bidzina Ivanishvili, founder and honorary chairman of Georgian Dream.
In his first sermon as patriarch, Shio III said the church must open its doors wider and meet people beyond the walls of the cathedral.
“It is necessary to open the doors of the church widely to everyone,” he said, adding that clergy should not only wait at the church pulpit for people to come to them.
He said modern life brings new difficulties, with people’s hearts “alienated and cooled,” and called on the church to share both the joy and pain of the people.
Several church and political figures used the day to speak about reconciliation in Georgia’s polarized political climate. Metropolitan Ilarion of Mestia and Upper Svaneti said he expected the new patriarch to raise the issue of releasing citizens detained during protests.
Giorgi Sioridze of Lelo said that if Shio III asks for pardons and this is taken into account, it would be good for the country and society.
Lasha Parulava of the United National Movement said Georgia is divided and needs unity, adding that the church has historically had the power to unite the nation.
