On Sunday, 17 May, at the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in Tbilisi, Georgia, a Patriarchal and Synodal Divine Liturgy was celebrated for the enthronement of the new Catholicos-Patriarch of Georgia, Shio III, with the participation of delegations from the Orthodox Churches.
The Ecumenical Patriarchate was represented by a delegation consisting of His Eminence Archbishop Nikitas of Thyateira and Great Britain, His Eminence Metropolitan Maximos of Selyvria, and the Grand Syncellus Ieronymos.
The hierarchs of the Ecumenical Throne met on Saturday with the new Patriarch of Georgia and participated in yesterday’s concelebration.
The Patriarch of Georgia thanked the faithful for their support and love, while also extending a special greeting to the representatives of the local Orthodox Churches who had travelled to Georgia.
“The presence of our delegation here constitutes a visible sign of the unity between the Mother Church of Constantinople and the Church of Georgia, confirming our unity and common faith,” emphasised Archbishop Nikitas of Thyateira and Great Britain, representative of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, during his address at the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in Tbilisi.
Addressing His Beatitude Patriarch Shio III of Georgia, Archbishop Nikitas conveyed the wishes and love of His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, noting that the presence of the delegation at the first Patriarchal Divine Liturgy of the new Primate stands as testimony to the close bonds between the two Churches.
Archbishop Nikitas also referred to the late Patriarch Ilia II, observing that he had entrusted to his successor the guarantees necessary to shepherd the people of Georgia. At the same time, he stressed that the new Patriarch is called to continue the work of his predecessor by proclaiming the truth and strengthening ties with the Georgian people. “Georgia and the whole world are in need of spiritual leaders who will guide the faithful toward the Kingdom of Heaven,” he stated characteristically.
He further emphasised that “we live in a world full of challenges, a world divided, marked by wars and confusion. We who serve God are called to be peacemakers, especially in these troubled times, because we proclaim the way of love.”
Concluding his address, the Archbishop of Thyateira and Great Britain assured the Patriarch of Georgia that he is surrounded by “the brotherly love and prayers” of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and called for common ministry “in the vineyard of the Lord.”