Bidzina and Ekaterine Ivanishvili offer congratulations to Metropolitan Shio on His Election as Catholicos-Patriarch
Bidzina and Ekaterine Ivanishvili offered their congratulations to Metropolitan Shio on his election as Catholicos-Patriarch of the Georgian Orthodox Church.
As stated in the joint statement by Bidzina and Ekaterine Ivanishvili, it is a responsibility of the greatest historical weight to serve the Church and the country at a time when society stands in particular need of spiritual fortitude, unity, and peace.
“Your Holiness,
We extend our heartfelt congratulations on your election as Catholicos-Patriarch of the Georgian Orthodox Church.
From this day forth, you are entrusted with an honourable and, at the same time, profoundly responsible mission, to lead our Mother Church and to be the spiritual father of every Orthodox Georgian, of clergy and laity alike.
Your Holiness, it is a responsibility of the greatest historical weight to serve the Church and the country at a time when society stands in particular need of spiritual fortitude, unity, and peace.
This responsibility is all the greater given that you carry forward the path of the Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, His Holiness and Beatitude Ilia II, who for half a century, through times of hardship and tempest, guided our people and our country with dignity and grace.
We believe that your ministry will become a foundation of peacefulness, solidarity, and national unity, and will further strengthen the centuries-old traditions and values of the Georgian Church, upon which our national identity rests.
We wish you health, strength, and spiritual fortitude.
May God bless Your Holiness and all of Georgia,” reads the statement by Bidzina and Ekaterina Ivanishvili.
Metropolitan Shio was elected today as Georgia’s new, 142nd Catholicos-Patriarch at the expanded council of the Georgian Orthodox Church.
The enthronement of the new Patriarch will take place on May 12 at Svetitskhoveli Cathedral.
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Forecasters predict brief spells of rain and thunderstorms across Georgia amid warm conditions in the coming days
11.05.2026.17:11
According to meteorologists, brief spells of rain and thunderstorms are expected across Georgia over the coming days, against a backdrop of warm temperatures.
The National Environment Agency (NEA) reports that Tbilisi can expect short bursts of rain accompanied by thunder and lightning on May 12-13, with dry conditions returning on May 14. Daytime temperatures will reach +24 to +26°C.
“In the coastal regions (Batumi, Kobuleti, Anaklia, Poti): brief rain and thunderstorms are forecast for May 12–13, with clearing skies on May 14. Daytime temperatures will reach +22 to +24°C.
In the lowland regions of western Georgia (Zestaponi, Kutaisi, Samtredia, Zugdidi, Martvili, Ozurgeti), brief rain and thunderstorms are expected on May 12–13, with an improvement on May 14. Daytime temperatures will reach +24 to +26°C.
In the mountainous regions of western Georgia (Ambrolauri, Oni, Tsageri, Shovi, Chiatura, Sachkhere, Khulo, the Rikoti Pass), brief rain and thunderstorms are anticipated on May 12–13, with largely dry conditions on May 14. Daytime temperatures will reach +21 to +23°C.
In the high-altitude regions of western Georgia (Mestia, Bakhmaro), brief rain and thunderstorms are expected on May 12–13, with conditions remaining largely dry on May 14. Daytime temperatures will reach +19 to +21°C.
In Kartli (Rustavi, Bolnisi, Marneuli, Gardabani, Gori, Tskhinvali): brief rain and thunderstorms are forecast. Daytime temperatures will reach +24 to +26°C.
In Kakheti (Sagarejo, Telavi, Gurjaani, Sighnaghi, Lagodekhi, Kvareli, Akhmeta, Dedoplistskaro): brief rain and thunderstorms are expected. Daytime temperatures will reach +25 to +27°C.
In the mountainous regions of eastern Georgia (Akhaltsikhe, Borjomi, Dusheti, Tianeti, Pasanauri), brief rain and thunderstorms are anticipated. Daytime temperatures will reach +21 to +23°C.
In the high-altitude regions of eastern Georgia (Akhalkalaki, Tsalka, Bakuriani, Gudauri, Omalo), brief rain and thunderstorms are expected. Daytime temperatures will reach +15 to +17°C,” stated in the National Environment Agency’s bulletin.
Georgian PM congratulates Shio III on election as Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia
11.05.2026.17:08
Bidzina and Ekaterine Ivanishvili offer congratulations to Metropolitan Shio on His Election as Catholicos-Patriarch
11.05.2026.17:06
