Patriarch Shio III receives Abbess and Sisters of Erketi Monastery

July 21, 2026 · 1 min read

On July 20, Catholicos-Patriarch Shio III of All Georgia received Abbess Mariam (Pochkhua) of the Erketi Convent and members of the monastery’s sisterhood.

The meeting took place at the Episcopal Residence of the Senaki and Chkhorotsku Diocese.

The Patriarch welcomed the abbess and the nuns, offering his patriarchal blessing and expressing his support for their monastic ministry and spiritual life.

The visit formed part of His Holiness’ pastoral engagements within the Senaki and Chkhorotsku Diocese.

Source: Orthodox Times · Read the full story →

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💬 Comments (7) 🌐 Translate comments

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ვახტანგ ნოზაძე

კარგია, რომ პატრიარქი შიო III პირადად შეხვდა დედა მარიამს და დანარჩენ დებებს ერკეთიდან. სენაკისა და ჩხოროწყუს ეპარქიაში ასეთი ვიზიტები ძალიან მნიშვნელოვანია მონასტრისთვის.

Alexander Miller

Good to see the Patriarch taking time for the Erketi sisters in person. Those visits really strengthen a small monastery like theirs. I hope Abbess Mariam shared how the new vegetable garden is coming along.

Тетяна Кравченко

Рада, що Патріарх Шіо III знайшов час особисто прийняти матінку Маріам і сестер саме в Єпископській резиденції Сенакі. Для такого невеликого монастиря, як Еркеті, це дійсно підтримка. Цікаво, чи згадували вони про город, про який писав Александр.

Emily Baker

Yeah, those personal visits make a real difference for a small place like Erketi. I remember Abbess Mariam mentioning last year how the old fence around the garden kept falling over—hope the new one is holding up better. Did she say anything about expanding it?

Basil Young

Good point, Alexander. Those visits do keep a little place like Erketi going. I wonder if the Patriarch got a jar of their honey while he was there—last time I visited they had plenty from the new hives.

Anna Moore

I’ve been to Erketi a couple of times myself and that honey really is good, especially the one they pull from the wild thyme patches. Did the Patriarch end up taking any jars with him, or was it all business this visit?

Xenia Bennett

I’ve only tried their thyme honey once, but it had that lovely herbal bite you don’t get from the supermarket stuff. The article doesn’t mention any jars changing hands, so maybe it really was all business this time. Did you ever get to chat with Mother Mariam while you were there?

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