Serbian Patriarch Porfirije congratulates newly elected Georgian Patriarch Shio III

Serbian Patriarch Porfirije on Tuesday congratulated Shio III on his election as the Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia.

In the letter, the Serbian Primate described the election as an expression of God’s goodwill, through which the Georgian people have gained a virtuous father, a good shepherd, and a tireless teacher.

“As participants in history, enlightened by the unfading light of the Risen Christ, and experiencing the mystery of God’s love in the echo of the most beautiful exclamation under the sun, we rejoice that today a voice has resounded which has gladdened the Church of Saint Sava and the entire Christian world - that the sister Church of Georgia, in your God-loving person, has gained her archpastor and primate”, Patriarch Porfirije wrote.

The Serbian Patriarch voiced confidence that Patriarch Shio would prove himself a worthy successor to the late Patriarch Ilia II and all previous spiritual leaders who guided the Georgian Church through centuries of trials, “a worthy successor of the late Patriarch Ilia and all the other spiritual giants who, throughout centuries of storms and trials, wisely steered the ship of the Georgian Patriarchate”.

He prayed that the new Patriarch’s ministry would bring glory to God and benefit both the local Georgian Church and the entire Church of Christ.

“We prayfully wish that your forthcoming patriarchal ministry may be for the glory of God and for the benefit and edification both of your local Church and of the fullness of the Church of Christ”, he concluded.