Shio III of Georgia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Shio III |
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| Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, Archbishop of Mtskheta-Tbilisi and Metropolitan Bishop of Bichvinta and Tskhum-Abkhazia | |
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Shio III in 2026
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| Native name | შიო III |
| Church | Georgian Orthodox Church |
| Enthroned | 12 May 2026 |
| Predecessor | Ilia II |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | 1995 (deacon) 1996 (priest) |
| Consecration | 2003 |
| Personal details | |
| Birth name | Elizbar Mujiri |
| Born | 1 February 1969 Tbilisi, Georgian SSR, Soviet Union |
| Nationality | Georgian |
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Shio III (born Elizbar Mujiri on February 1, 1969) is the current Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia. This important role means he is the spiritual leader of the Georgian Orthodox Church. Before becoming Patriarch, he served as the bishop of Senaki and Chkhorotsku starting in 2003. He also held the position of locum tenens for the Patriarchal Throne from 2017, which meant he was a temporary leader.
Born in Tbilisi, which was then part of Soviet Georgia, he studied at the Moscow Theological Academy and Saint Tikhon's Orthodox University. He became a monk in 1993 and was ordained as a priest in 1996. In 2003, Elizbar Mujiri became a bishop for the new area of Senaki and Chkhorotsku. Later, in 2009, he also took charge of Georgian church communities in Australia and New Zealand. In 2017, Ilia II of Georgia, the previous Patriarch, chose him to be the locum tenens. After Ilia II passed away in 2026, Shio III became the temporary head of the Georgian Orthodox Church. He was then elected as the new Patriarch.
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Early Life and Studies
Elizbar Mujiri was born in Tbilisi, the capital of Soviet Georgia, on February 1, 1969. He first trained as a cellist and graduated from the Tbilisi State Conservatoire in 1991.
He then decided to study theology, which is the study of religious faith. He attended the Batumi Theological Seminary in Georgia. Later, he continued his studies in Russia at the Moscow Theological Academy and Saint Tikhon's Orthodox University. He earned a special degree called a Doctor of Divinity in 2015.
Becoming a Monk and Priest
In 1993, Elizbar Mujiri became a monk and took the name Shio. This is a common practice for those who dedicate their lives to the church. In 1995, he became a hierodeacon, which is a type of church minister. The next year, in 1996, he was ordained as a hieromonk, meaning he became a priest in the Georgian Orthodox Church.
From 1997 to 2001, he served as a leader, or "father superior," at two churches in Tbilisi: the Kldisubani church of Saint George and the Narikala church of Saint Nicholas. After this, he moved to Moscow to lead the St. George parish church. There, he served the Georgian community living outside their home country.
Role as a Bishop
On August 18, 2003, Shio was appointed as a bishop for a new church region called an eparchy. This new eparchy was named Senaki and Chkhorotsku. It was created from parts of other church regions in the Samegrelo area. By 2017, this eparchy included 39 churches and monasteries.
Leading Parishes Abroad
Bishop Shio's responsibilities grew in 2009 when he was also put in charge of Georgian church communities, known as parishes, in Australia and New Zealand. On August 2, 2010, he was given the higher rank of a metropolitan. He is also a member of the Holy Synod, which is the main governing body of the Georgian Orthodox Church. Additionally, he serves on its Canonization Commission, which decides who can be recognized as a saint.
Temporary Church Leader
On November 23, 2017, Ilia II of Georgia, who was the Catholicos-Patriarch at the time, announced that Shio would be the patriarchal locum tenens. This means Shio would act as a temporary head of the Georgian Orthodox Church for a short period after the Patriarch passed away, until a new Patriarch could be chosen by the Holy Synod. This decision by Ilia II to name his temporary successor during his lifetime was a surprise to many. Georgian media suggested it might show Ilia II's support for Shio to become the next Patriarch.
After a meeting of the Holy Synod on November 2, 2023, Metropolitan Shio called for peace in Ukraine, the Middle East, and around the world.
On March 17, 2026, Metropolitan Shio officially became the patriarchal locum tenens after the death of Ilia II. The Holy Synod of the Georgian Orthodox Church confirmed this the next day, on March 18. Because he had been appointed to this temporary role earlier, Metropolitan Shio was widely considered the most likely person to succeed Ilia II as Patriarch.
Becoming Patriarch
On May 11, 2026, Shio was elected as the Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia. This election was decided by a vote of the Holy Synod of the Georgian Orthodox Church.
The very next day, on May 12, 2026, Patriarch Shio was officially enthroned in the historic Svetitskhoveli Cathedral. This ceremony marked his formal beginning as the spiritual leader of the Georgian Orthodox Church.
His Views
Shio III holds traditional views within the Georgian Orthodox Church. He has spoken about the importance of family as a special institution. He believes that family values are very important for society.
He is seen as a traditional voice within discussions about the Church’s direction. He has also spoken about the relationship between the Georgian Orthodox Church and other Orthodox churches around the world. Shio III has denied claims that he has strong ties to Moscow, calling such suggestions untrue.
See also
In Spanish: Shio III de Georgia para niños
