Metropolitan Shio Mujiri, the Metropolitan of Senaki and Chkhorotsku and current locum tenens of the Patriarchal Throne, called on the clergy and faithful of the Georgian Orthodox Church to intensify their prayers ahead of next week’s crucial Church assembly that will elect a new Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia.
Read also:
The Nominees for the Patriarchal Throne of Georgia
The announcement of the Patriarchate of Georgia on the formation of the Triprosopon
Georgia: Metropolitan of Poti and Khobi calls for unity ahead of Patriarchal Election
Speaking during his homily on the feast of Saint George, Metropolitan Shio emphasized the historic importance of the upcoming Expanded Ecclesiastical Council, which will gather to choose the successor to the late Patriarch Ilia II of Georgia.
“Next week we will have to hold a great expanded ecclesiastical council, where the new Catholicos-Patriarch must be elected,” the Metropolitan said in his sermon today. “I would like to ask our clergy, our monastic communities, each one of you, and our beloved faithful to strengthen your prayers so that this great event may be conducted worthily, peacefully, and with love, so that God’s will may be revealed and the decision may prove beneficial for our Church and our nation.”
He added that the faithful should especially seek the intercession of Saint George, asking for the saint’s grace and guidance during the election process.
In his sermon, Metropolitan Shio also reflected on the liturgical significance of the day, noting that this year the feast coincided with Mid-Pentecost, known in Georgian tradition as “Ganzogeba,” meaning “halfway” or “midpoint.” He explained that the feast marks the exact middle of the fifty-day Paschal period between Easter and Pentecost and has long held special importance in the life of the Church.
The Metropolitan recalled that hymns and prayers for Mid-Pentecost were composed by great Church Fathers and hymnographers such as Andrew of Crete and John of Damascus.
Referring to the Gospel reading of the feast, he highlighted Christ’s words spoken during the Feast of Tabernacles in Jerusalem: “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. Whoever believes in Me, rivers of living water will flow from within him.”
Metropolitan Shio also drew a connection between Christ’s teaching and the prophecies of Isaiah, who centuries before the Incarnation had called the thirsty to come freely to the waters of life.
The upcoming patriarchal election has attracted widespread attention throughout Georgia, as the Church prepares to enter a new chapter following the end of Patriarch Ilia II’s historic leadership.
