Patriarch Shio III of Georgia celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Holy Trinity Patriarchal Cathedral in Tbilisi on Sunday, September 27, 2026, marking the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross and the 33rd anniversary of the fall of Sukhumi.
Metropolitan Andria of Gori and Ateni and other clergy concelebrated with the Patriarch.
Following the Divine Liturgy, Patriarch Shio III conducted a memorial service for the repose of the souls of Georgians, Abkhazians and Ossetians who lost their lives in the wars in Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali region.
Addressing the faithful, the Patriarch spoke about the spiritual significance of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross and reflected on the anniversary of the war in Abkhazia.
He emphasized that love, mutual forgiveness and reconciliation are essential for Georgians and Abkhazians to reunite and overcome the divisions of the past.
The service was also attended by Giorgi Jincharadze, Chairman of the Government of the Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia, Jemal Gamakharia, Chairman of its Supreme Council, and other officials.
