A celebratory religious service has started at Svetitskhoveli Cathedral in Mtskheta for the enthronement of the newly elected Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, His Holiness Shio III.

Shio III arrived at the cathedral shortly before the solemn liturgy commenced. During the festive service, the newly elected Patriarch will officially be enthroned and presented with the symbols of patriarchal governance, The Caspian Post reports, citing Georgia Today.

The enthronement ceremony is being attended by senior government officials, while Bidzina Ivanishvili, founder of the ruling Georgian Dream party, is also present at the Svetitskhoveli Cathedral.

The Georgian Orthodox Church elected a new Catholicos-Patriarch on May 11 during an expanded church council held at the Holy Trinity Cathedral (Sameba) in Tbilisi.

Metropolitan Shio (Mujiri) of Senaki and Chkhorotsku was elected as the country’s 142nd Catholicos-Patriarch, securing 22 votes. Metropolitan Iobi of Urbnisi and Ruisi received nine votes, while Metropolitan Grigol of Poti and Khobi garnered seven. One ballot was annulled.

The election followed the death of Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, His Holiness and Beatitude Ilia II, who passed away on March 17, 2026, at the age of 93.