Metropolitan Shio has become the Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia.

The bishops chose the locum tenens of the patriarchal throne, Metropolitan Shio.

The voting results are as follows:

Metropolitan Shio of Senaki and Chkhorotsku — 22 votes;

Metropolitan Iob of Mroveli-Urbnisi — 9 votes;

Metropolitan Grigol of Poti and Khobi — 7 votes.

One vote was declared invalid.

Metropolitan Shio of Senaki and Chkhorotsku, born Elizbar Mujiri, has been the locum tenens of the patriarchal throne for 9 years by decision of Ilia II. He is a chorepiscopus and, due to special merits, has the right to wear a diamond cross on his skufia. He graduated from the Batumi Theological Seminary and the Moscow Theological Academy.

For reference: today, on May 11, at the expanded church council, the bishops elected the new Catholicos-Patriarch from among three candidates. In addition to Metropolitan Shio, two other candidates were nominated for the position of head of the Georgian Church — Metropolitan Grigol of Poti and Khobi, and Metropolitan Iob of Mroveli-Urbnisi.