Georgian PM: May the Lord protect the nation’s new spiritual father

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze. Photo: Accentnews.ge

On May 11, 2026, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze congratulated the newly elected Catholicos-Patriarch Shio (Mujiri), a Georgian media outlet reported.

The head of government stressed that a historic moment had arrived in the life of the country: the Georgian Church now has a new primate, who assumes immense responsibility for the spiritual future of the people.

Kobakhidze noted that the Mother Church has always been an unshakable pillar of Georgian statehood. According to him, it is only through the Orthodox faith that the nation has preserved its eternal values and reached the present day despite all historical trials.

The prime minister expressed confidence that the new Patriarch Shio would become a worthy successor to Ilia II and continue the work he had built over decades with “exceptional wisdom and love.”

“May the Lord protect our country and its new spiritual father!” the head of the Cabinet of Ministers concluded.

As previously reported by the UOJ, Metropolitan Shio (Mujiri) of Senaki and Chkhorotsku became the 142nd Patriarch of Georgia following the Council held at the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Tbilisi. Twenty-two hierarchs voted for his candidacy.

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