On June 11, Patriarch Shio III of Georgia received the Ambassadors of Turkey, Armenia, and Italy to Georgia in separate meetings at the Patriarchate of Georgia. The discussions focused on bilateral relations, the role of the Church in society, contemporary challenges, and the importance of preserving Christian and moral values.
Meeting with the Ambassador of Turkey
Patriarch Shio III received Turkey’s Ambassador to Georgia, Mustafa Turker Arı, who congratulated him on his enthronement and expressed condolences on the passing of the late Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia II.
The two sides highlighted the good-neighborly relations and strategic partnership between Georgia and Turkey. The Patriarch expressed gratitude for the support shown to Georgian emigrants living in Turkey. They also discussed the importance of family values, moral education, and social cohesion, emphasizing that peace, mutual respect, and strong family foundations are universal values shared by both nations.
Meeting with the Ambassador of Armenia
During his meeting with Armenia’s Ambassador to Georgia, Ashot Smbatyan, Patriarch Shio III emphasized the centuries-old friendship between the Georgian and Armenian peoples, rooted in shared Christian values and a common spiritual heritage.
The Ambassador congratulated the Patriarch on his enthronement and recalled with respect his meetings with the late Patriarch Ilia II. Both sides stressed the importance of preserving Christian heritage and highlighted the Church’s role in strengthening peace, unity, and brotherly relations. The Patriarch also referred to the celebrations marking the 1,700th anniversary of Christianity as Georgia’s state religion.
Meeting with the Ambassador of Italy
Patriarch Shio III also met with Italy’s Ambassador to Georgia, Massimiliano D’Antuono. Their discussion focused on the friendly relations between Georgia and Italy and prospects for further cooperation.
The Patriarch underlined the importance of safeguarding the spiritual and moral values that have shaped European and Christian civilization, noting that the shared Christian heritage of the two countries forms a strong foundation for their friendship.
He also thanked the Italian authorities for their support of the Georgian diaspora in Italy. For his part, the Ambassador congratulated the Patriarch on his enthronement and paid tribute to the legacy of the late Patriarch Ilia II.
All three meetings concluded with an exchange of commemorative gifts.
Photos: Nino Sozashvili
