Patriarch Shio III of Georgia celebrated his first Divine Liturgy as Primate of the Georgian Orthodox Church on May 17, 2026, at the Holy Trinity Patriarchal Cathedral in Tbilisi, on the occasion of the Day of Family Purity and Respect for Parents.
Thousands of faithful gathered for the solemn service, which was attended by official delegations from the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the Orthodox Churches of Alexandria, Antioch, Jerusalem, Russia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Greece, Albania, and Poland. Concelebrating with the Georgian Patriarch was Metropolitan Rastislav of the Czech Lands and Slovakia.
Among those present at the service were Georgian President Mikheil Kavelashvili, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, Speaker of Parliament Shalva Papuashvili, and Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze, along with representatives of the diplomatic corps and the legislative and executive authorities.
The Day of Family Purity was established in 2014 by the late Patriarch Ilia II of Georgia and has since become one of the most significant public religious celebrations in Georgia, reflecting the country’s traditional values.
This year’s gathering saw massive crowds arriving at the Holy Trinity Cathedral, including large processions of faithful walking from the Church of Saint George of Kashveti in central Tbilisi.
During the celebrations, Patriarch Shio III delivered a solemn address to the faithful and the visiting delegations, while representatives of the Georgian state and Orthodox Churches also offered greetings. The event concluded with a doxology performed in the courtyard of the cathedral.
Patriarch Shio III: Universal baptism tradition will continue as part of Ilia II’s legacy
The tradition of universal baptisms established by Ilia II, which has contributed to the demographic progress and spiritual strengthening of our nation, will continue, said the Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia.
Speaking in a sermon at the Holy Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi during the Day of Family Purity and Respect for Parents, Shio III said the observance of this day keeps Ilia II’s spiritual legacy alive.
“It is symbolic that today our Church and nation are marking the Day of Family Purity and Respect for Parents, established by the blessed Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia II. This year we celebrate it for the first time without him, yet through this celebration his great spiritual legacy continues to live on,” he said.
He added that Ilia II’s initiatives, including the practice of mass baptisms, will continue and remain an important factor in strengthening family life and supporting demographic growth.
Shio III also expressed gratitude to the Georgian people, clergy, and monastic community for their prayers and support, saying that their encouragement strengthens his spiritual resolve in carrying out his responsibilities.
He emphasized that in today’s world, the Orthodox Church has an important mission as a moral guide and a unifying force for society, while also calling for cooperation between the Church and the state in raising future generations and protecting family values. According to him, the family is not only a private sphere but also the foundation of national identity and statehood, and its stability determines the strength of the country.
“We all need to realize that the family is not only a personal space, but also the foundation of national identity. It is the strength of the family that determines a strong and united state. When speaking about the family, we must also remember our spiritual children living outside Georgia and thank the representatives of local Orthodox Churches for caring for our compatriots, for the spiritual comfort found within the walls of their churches for Georgians living abroad, and for alleviating the great spiritual pain of being far from their homeland,” said Shio III.
“Reject calls to weaken family-focused legislation, focus on strengthening it”
“If a grave sin, such as abortion, is prevalent in a family, then, of course, you cannot build any happiness on such a foundation; such a family is doomed,” said the Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, Archbishop of Mtskheta-Tbilisi and Metropolitan of Bichvinta and Tskhum-Abkhazia, Shio III.
Speaking to parishioners gathered in the courtyard of the Holy Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi during the Day of Family Purity and Respect for Parents, Shio III also addressed demographic challenges in Georgia and the importance of strengthening family life.
He further referred to biblical teaching, noting that innocent blood “cries out to God,” and emphasized that the birth of children brings “light, warmth, and blessing” to a household.
The Patriarch also spoke about the challenges of raising large families, noting that while the beginning may be difficult, childcare becomes easier over time and contributes to greater family stability.
Addressing broader social concerns, Shio III warned about demographic trends in Georgia and the importance of strengthening family life and values. He stated that failure to address these issues could pose long-term risks to the country’s demographic balance.
“If we do not think about all this, if we do not correct our demographic situation, if we do not take care of strengthening, saving, and preserving the family, we are threatened with a real danger: in our beautiful and wonderful country, like paradise, other peoples will settle with us, who love children, do not abandon their children, and protect their religion. If we continue like this, there is a real danger that they will outnumber Georgians,” he said.
The Patriarch also called for continued legislative support for family protection policies, arguing that such measures are necessary to safeguard family values and society. He stated that legislation on family values should not be weakened but rather strengthened, particularly in relation to what he described as concerns over “gender theories and ideology.”
“We should not abandon this legislation… but, on the contrary, we should strengthen and consolidate this direction. This is the basis for the survival and well-being of our country,” Shio III said.
Archbishop of Thyateira to Patriarch of Georgia: Our presence confirms the unity of our Churches
The presence of our delegation here is a visible sign of unity — the unity of the Mother Church of Constantinople and the Church of Georgia — confirming their unity and the unity of faith, said the representative of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, Archbishop Nikita of Thyatira and Great Britain, in the Holy Trinity Cathedral, as reported by local media.
Addressing Patriarch Shio III of Georgia, he conveyed greetings on behalf of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople, calling his presence at the liturgy a sign of shared spiritual unity.
“Your Holiness and Beatitude, Catholicos-Patriarch of Georgia, Archbishop of Mtskheta-Tbilisi and Metropolitan of Bichvinta and Tskhum-Abkhazia, Christ is Risen! As the representative of His All-Holiness, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, at this first Patriarchal Liturgy, our delegation here is a visible sign of the bond that unites the Mother Church of Constantinople and the Church of Georgia.
Your election and enthronement took place after your beloved spiritual father, His Holiness Patriarch Ilia II, joined eternity. As the prophet, when he ascended to heaven in a fiery chariot, bequeathed to his disciple and spiritual son Elisha, so the late Patriarch Ilia II gave you his Patriarchate, a mantle and a scepter, to shepherd the flock entrusted to your care.
As the late great Catholicos, you are also called to preach the truth to the flock entrusted to you, to the people engraved on your heart, as a teacher. Patriarch Ilia II enjoyed the greatest trust in Georgia. You too must build and develop strong ties and relationships with the people of this worthy country, because Georgia and the whole world need spiritual leaders who will lead believers to the Kingdom of Heaven.
As you know, Your Holiness, we live in a world full of challenges — a world divided, marked by wars and confusion. We who serve God are called to be peacemakers, especially in these turbulent times, because we preach the way of love, as the Apostle Paul teaches us: ‘Follow the path of love.’
With the scepter of trust established by the Church and the mantle of love of your departed spiritual father, you have strengthened your will in courage to shepherd the faithful flock of Georgia. Believe that the brotherly love and prayers of His Holiness Patriarch Bartholomew are with you. In the name of His Holiness and the great Church of Christ, our delegation joyfully embraces you, saying: ‘Let us love one another.’ May we labor together in the vineyard of the Lord to the glory of His name. Christ is Risen, Axios, Your Holiness and Beatitude!” he concluded.
With information from: 1tv.ge
