Patriarch Shio of Georgia is expected to visit the Phanar

On Tuesday, 4 August 2026, His Excellency Mr Giorgi Jincharadze, Head of the Government-in-Exile of the Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia, had a meeting with the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.

During their meeting, they discussed current issues. His Excellency referred to the profound emotion felt by the people following the initiative of the Ecumenical Patriarch to travel to Tbilisi for the Funeral Service of the late Archbishop of Mtskheta and Tbilisi, Metropolitan of Bichvinta and Tskhum-Abkhazia, and Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, the late Ilia II.

The Ecumenical Patriarch once again spoke of the personality and legacy of the blessed Patriarch, as well as of his cordial communication with his successor, Patriarch Shio III of Georgia, who is expected to visit the Phanar in the near future.

The meeting was attended by Archimandrite Elias Jinjolava, parish priest of the Georgian-speaking Community of Constantinople, associates of His Excellency, and the Consul General of Georgia in Constantinople, His Excellency Mr Aleksandre Jishkariani.

Photo: Nikos Papachristou