Georgian priest in Germany: Patriarch Shio will preserve Ilia II’s legacy

Priest Elias Schlepegreell. Photo: Union of Orthodox Journalists in Germany

According to Georgian Patriarch Shio, priest Elias Schlepegrell said, he will seek to preserve the legacy of Patriarch Ilia II after his election. He stated this in a comment to the UOJ in Germany.

Fr. Elias, a cleric of the Georgian Eparchy in Germany and Austria, said he was in the Georgian capital as an eyewitness to the vote. According to him, the fact that Metropolitan Shio was elected in the first round showed the high level of support he enjoys in the Synod.

“Many believers were moved, because everyone understood that a new era was beginning. At the same time, there was a great sense of spiritual calm and unity in prayer. For me personally, it was a very moving and unforgettable moment,” the priest said.

He also noted that Metropolitan Shio had been appointed Patriarchal Locum Tenens back in 2017, which is why many believers saw him as a likely successor.

The priest stressed that after the election, there remains a desire in the Georgian Church for stability and unity. In his assessment, the new Primate may continue the previous course while adding his own emphases in pastoral work, youth ministry, and interaction with the diaspora in Europe.

As the UOJ reported, the Synod of the Georgian Church held a meeting following the repose of its Primate. Since then, the key issues on Georgia’s Church agenda have remained continuity in governance, the preservation of Church-wide accord, and support for parishes abroad.

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