Patriarch John X of Antioch and All the East sent a congratulatory message to the newly elected Catholicos-Patriarch Shio of All Georgia, on the occasion of his election and enthronement to the Patriarchal Throne of Georgia.
In his message, the Primate of the Church of Antioch expressed his joy and heartfelt wishes to the new Patriarch, emphasizing the historic bonds between the two Churches and assuring him that the people of Georgia are always present in the prayers of the faithful of the Church of Antioch.
Read below the message of Patriarch John X of Antioch:
With profound gladness and heartfelt joy, we received the news of Your elevation to the Patriarchal Throne of Georgia, succeeding our brother Catholicos-Patriarch ILIA II of Thrice-Blessed memory.
On our behalf and in the name of the faithful of the Greek Orthodox Church of Antioch and All the East, we extend to Your Holiness our heartfelt congratulations. We ask Christ God, the Lord of mercy and fountain of all consolation, to stand beside you as You lead His blessed flock, guiding it to the springs of divine salvation. We likewise implore divine mercy for the soul of our departed brother, Catholicos-Patriarch ILIA II.
We pray for you and for the Church of Georgia, with which we have been bound by historic ties since the dawn of Christianity. You and your good people are ever present in the prayers of the children of the Church of Antioch, the Church that gave the world the name ‘Christians’, and which has always maintained the closest and warmest relations with the Church of Georgia, the Church that has borne witness to Christ God and preserved the Apostolic faith through the darkest times.
We renew our prayers and ask the Heavenly Bridegroom to make us all worthy to revive pan-Orthodox cooperation amid the difficult circumstances through which our world is enduring.
