Shio III thanks Georgian people, clergy and monks for support, prayers, love

Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, Archbishop of Mtskheta-Tbilisi and Metropolitan of Bichvinta and Tskhum-Abkhazia Shio III on Sunday thanked the Georgian people, clergy and monastics for their prayers, support and love during a sermon delivered at the Holy Trinity Cathedral in the capital city of Tbilisi.

“We have gathered in brotherly unity at the Holy Trinity Cathedral in order to peacefully and gratefully glorify the most merciful Lord,” Shio III said.

The Patriarch also welcomed representatives of local Orthodox Churches attending the service and described their presence as proof of “spiritual unity and Christian love” among the Churches.

“I warmly welcome the representatives of the local Orthodox Churches and thank you for coming here. This is confirmation of the spiritual unity of our Churches and love in Christ. We believe that through this unity and fullness, our faith and the unity of our Churches will be strengthened,” he said.

Shio III said he was deeply grateful for the “great honour” of serving as Catholicos-Patriarch and acknowledged both the responsibility and burden of the role.

“On the one hand, I realise the greatness of this calling and the weight of the cross; on the other hand, I feel my human weakness and limitations. Therefore, your prayerful support gives me even greater spiritual strength and encouragement,” he stated.

The Patriarch also expressed special gratitude to the Georgian people, the clergy and monks for their support in recent days.

“I would especially like to thank the Georgian people, our spiritual children, our clergy and monastics for their prayers, support and love, for standing by us in these days, encouraging us and giving us strength and resilience,” Shio III said.