On May 12, 2026, a new chapter in the history of the Georgian Orthodox Church began at the Svetitskhoveli Cathedral. The country now has a new Patriarch, following the end of an era that lasted almost half a century.

Metropolitan Daniel placed the ancient patriarchal mitre upon the head of Catholicos-Patriarch Shio III.

Shio III — Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, Archbishop of Mtskheta-Tbilisi, and Metropolitan of Bichvinta and Tskhum-Abkhazia — was enthroned in full accordance with church canon law during the solemn ceremony of his elevation to the patriarchal throne.

The procedure included an ancient ritual: His Holiness Shio III was presented with the patriarchal insignia. He was also vested in the liturgical garments designated for the Patriarch. The word “Axios!” was proclaimed three times in the cathedral, which in Greek means “worthy.” This served as confirmation that the Church and the people had accepted the new spiritual leader, and that from this day forward the responsibility for leading the Church belongs to him.