Patr. Shio III Expected to Visit the Phanar Soon

ISTANBUL — Catholicos-Patriarch Shio III of Georgia is expected to make an official visit to the Phanar in the near future, according to Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.

The announcement came during a meeting on Aug. 4 between the Ecumenical Patriarch and Giorgi Jincharadze, head of the Government in Exile of the Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia. The two discussed current issues, while also reflecting on the recent passing of the late Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia II of Georgia and the transition of leadership in the Georgian Orthodox Church.

During the meeting, Patr. Bartholomew spoke about the emotional response to his decision to travel to Tbilisi for the funeral of Ilia II, whom he praised for his longstanding leadership and with whom he maintained close relations. He also highlighted his positive communication with the newly enthroned Catholicos-Patriarch Shio III, announcing that the Georgian primate is expected to visit the Phanar in the near future.

The meeting was attended by Archimandrite Ilia Jinjolava, vicar of Istanbul's Georgian-speaking Orthodox community, members of the Ecumenical Patriarchate's staff, and Georgian Consul General Aleksandre Jishkariani.

While no date has been announced for the visit, it would mark an early meeting between the heads of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the Georgian Orthodox Church following the election of Patr. Shio III.

Previously, the UOJ reported that Patr. Shio blessed a new community of Christian Kurds and Yazidis.