On 2 December of this year, Metropolitan Shio (Mujiri) of Senaki and Chkhorotsku, Locum Tenens of the Patriarchal Throne, received the Acting U.S. Ambassador to Georgia, Mr. Alan Purcell, together with accompanying officials. The meeting took place at the Patriarchate of Georgia and was attended by several hierarchs and senior clergy.
Metropolitan Shio spoke about the vital importance of Christianity for the Georgian people and the country’s identity. He noted that next year Georgia will mark a major jubilee — the 1700th anniversary of Christianity being proclaimed the state religion — and expressed hope that the U.S. Embassy would take part in the celebratory events.
During their conversation with Mr. Purcell, the hierarchs highlighted Georgia’s most pressing national challenge: the violation of its territorial integrity. They expressed gratitude to the United States for its consistent support and its firm contribution to the non-recognition policy regarding the occupied territories.
Acting U.S. Ambassador Alan Purcell thanked the hierarchs for the warm reception and expressed hope for further strengthening of relations between the United States and the Georgian Orthodox Church.
