Catholicos-Patriarch Shio III of Georgia received Georgian President Mikheil Kavelashvili and Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić at the Patriarchal Residence on June 15, during the Serbian leader’s official visit to Georgia.
The two presidents were accompanied by their spouses and members of their respective delegations. Also present at the meeting were senior representatives of the Georgian Patriarchate, including Metropolitan Theodore of Akhaltsikhe and Tao-Klarjeti, Metropolitan Gerasime of Zugdidi and Tsaishi, and other clergy and officials.
The meeting took place in a warm and friendly atmosphere and focused on the centuries-old spiritual and cultural ties between the Georgian and Serbian peoples, both of whom share a rich Orthodox Christian heritage.
Patriarch Shio III warmly recalled the congratulatory message sent by Serbian Patriarch Porfirije upon his enthronement and reflected on the fraternal relationship that existed between the late Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia II and the late Serbian Patriarch Pavle.
During the discussion, the Georgian Primate also highlighted the celebration of the 1,700th anniversary of Christianity being declared the state religion of Georgia and invited President Vučić to participate in the commemorative events planned for the occasion.
The participants emphasized the importance of further strengthening the friendship and cooperation between Georgia and Serbia, particularly in the areas of culture, faith, and mutual understanding.
At the conclusion of the meeting, the parties exchanged commemorative gifts as a sign of friendship and goodwill.
