Catholicos-Patriarch Shio III of All Georgia received a delegation of the Moscow Patriarchate, led by Metropolitan Antony of Volokolamsk, on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, at the Patriarchal Residence in Georgia.
During the meeting, the Russian delegation congratulated Patriarch Shio III on his enthronement and personally conveyed a congratulatory message from Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia.
According to the Georgian Patriarchate, the meeting also addressed relations between the two countries, with particular attention given to the situation in conflict-affected regions and the possibility of facilitating the Georgian Orthodox Church’s contact with its local faithful.
Discussions focus on relations and access to Orthodox communities
The Russian delegation included Metropolitan Antony of Volokolamsk, Chairman of the Department for External Church Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate; Archpriest Nikolai Balashov, adviser to Patriarch Kirill; Archpriest Igor Yakimchuk, Deputy Chairman of the Department; Priest Nikolai Vasin, assistant to Metropolitan Antony; and Archpriest Vladimir Alexandrov, representative of the Moscow Patriarchate in Georgia.
The Georgian Church was represented by several senior hierarchs and ecclesiastical officials, including Metropolitan Theodore of Akhaltsikhe and Tao-Klarjeti, Metropolitan Gerasime of Zugdidi and Tsaishi, Metropolitan Andria of Gori and Ateni, and Bishop Vakhtang of Nikortsminda.
Also attending were Protopresbyter Giorgi Zviadadze, Archpriest Mikael Botkoveli, Secretary to the Catholicos-Patriarch, and Archpriest Andria Jaghmaidze, Head of the Georgian Patriarchate’s Public Relations Department.
During their discussions, the two sides exchanged views on relations between their respective countries.
Particular attention was paid to the situation in conflict-affected regions and possible ways to enable the Georgian Orthodox Church to establish and maintain contact with its local congregations.
The Russian delegation also thanked Patriarch Shio III for receiving them.
At the conclusion of the meeting, the two sides exchanged symbolic gifts.
The delegation arrived in Georgia on September 28 with the blessing of Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia. Metropolitan Antony, Chairman of the Department for External Church Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate, was accompanied by senior representatives of the Russian Orthodox Church.
The Russian delegation included Archpriest Nikolai Balashov, adviser to Patriarch Kirill; Archpriest Igor Yakimchuk, Deputy Chairman of the Department for External Church Relations; and Priest Nikolai Vasin, secretary to Metropolitan Antony.
Upon their arrival at Tbilisi International Airport, the delegation was welcomed by Metropolitan Andria of Gori and Ateni, Archpriest Kakhaber Gogotishvili, Archpriest Vladimir Alexandrov of the Russian Orthodox Church in Tbilisi, and Dmitry Olisov, head of the Russian Interests Section at the Swiss Embassy in Georgia.
Metropolitan Antony visits historic Georgian monasteries and churches
On September 29, Metropolitan Antony and the accompanying delegation undertook a pilgrimage to Mtskheta, Georgia’s ancient capital.
Their first stop was Jvari Monastery, followed by a visit to Svetitskhoveli Patriarchal Cathedral, dedicated to the Twelve Apostles.
Accompanied by Metropolitan Andria of Gori and Ateni, the Russian delegation also visited Samtavro Convent, where they venerated the relics of Saints King Mirian and Queen Nana, Equal to the Apostles, as well as Saint Gabriel of Samtavro.
Later that day, Metropolitan Antony and his delegation traveled to the Diocese of Gori, where they were welcomed by Metropolitan Andria at the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos.
The Georgian Metropolitan accompanied his guests on a tour of the diocesan administration, the ecclesiastical museum and the Orthodox Gymnasium named after Saint George the Hagiorite. During the visit, Metropolitan Antony signed the school’s guestbook.
The delegation subsequently visited Ateni Sioni Convent, where they toured the historic Cathedral of the Dormition, built in the seventh century and decorated with frescoes dating from the eleventh century.
