His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon Sends Letter of Congratulations to the Newly Elected Patriarch Shio of All Georgia
On May 11, 2026, His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon sent a letter of congratulations to newly elected His Holiness Patriarch Shio, Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, and Archbishop of Mtskheta and Tbilisi.
Your Holiness, beloved brother and concelebrant in the Lord’s Mysteries,
I write to extend to Your Holiness my heartfelt congratulations on your election as Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia.
The Georgian Orthodox Church, with her ancient apostolic heritage and steadfast witness through centuries of trial and endurance, occupies a cherished place within the family of the Holy Orthodox Churches. At this important moment in the life of your Church, I pray that the Lord will grant Your Holiness wisdom, strength, peace, and abundant grace as you assume this sacred ministry.
Your election follows the blessed and remarkable ministry of His Holiness Patriarch Ilia II of thrice-blessed memory, whose faithfulness, pastoral love, and spiritual leadership inspired generations of Orthodox faithful both in Georgia and throughout the Orthodox world. I am confident that, strengthened by the prayers and example of your venerable predecessor, as well as by the intercessions of the holy saints of Georgia, Your Holiness will continue to guide the Georgian Church with steadfast faith and fatherly care.
Please be assured of my prayers for Your Holiness and for the clergy, monastics, and faithful of the Georgian Orthodox Church during this new chapter in her life. I also pray that the fraternal relations between the Georgian Orthodox Church and the Orthodox Church in America may continue to grow and strengthen in the years ahead for the building up of Christ’s Holy Church and the proclamation of the Gospel.
Once again, please accept my heartfelt congratulations and fraternal love. May the Lord grant Your Holiness many blessed years.
Your brother in Christ,
+Tikhon
Archbishop of Washington
Metropolitan of All America and Canada