Metr. Shio Receives Church Leaders in Tbilisi

Metr. Sergiy of Ternopil and Kremenets and Metr. Shio, Locum Tenens of the Patriarchal Throne of Georgia. Photo: Ukrainian Orthodox Church

TBILISI, GEORGIA — Metr. Shio of Senaki and Chkhorotsku, Locum Tenens of the Patriarchal Throne of Georgia, received delegations from multiple Orthodox Churches on March 23 following the repose of Patr. Ilia II. The meetings at the Patriarchal Residence were marked by expressions of condolence, unity, and remembrance of the late patriarch’s life and ministry.

Delegations from the Patriarchates of Alexandria and Jerusalem, as well as the Churches of Cyprus and Ukraine, met with Metr. Shio alongside hierarchs of the Georgian Orthodox Church. Additional meetings were held with representatives of the Romanian, Albanian, and Bulgarian Churches, including Patr. Daniel of Bulgaria. In each case, visiting clergy conveyed condolences, shared reflections, and exchanged symbolic gifts in a spirit of brotherly love.

A delegation of the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) was also received, having attended the patriarch’s funeral the previous day. Led by Metr. Sergiy of Ternopil and Kremenets, the group conveyed condolences on behalf of Metr. Onufriy of Kyiv and discussed ongoing ties between the Churches. The delegation also served a memorial service at the patriarch’s grave in Sioni Cathedral.

Previously, the UOJ reported that Patr. Ilia II was laid to rest in a historic Tbilisi ceremony.

Read also