Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia Shio III met with representatives of six Orthodox churches on October 12 as Georgia prepares to mark the 1,700th anniversary of Christianity becoming the country’s state religion, the Georgian Orthodox Church said.

The meeting brought together hierarchs from the Patriarchates of Alexandria and Antioch, as well as the Orthodox Churches of Cyprus, Greece, Poland and Ukraine.

The Patriarchate of Alexandria was represented by Bishop Damaskinos of Mareotis, while the Patriarchate of Antioch sent Metropolitan Niphon of Philippopolis. The Church of Cyprus was represented by Metropolitan Nektarios of Kition, and the Church of Greece by Metropolitan Damaskinos of Didymoteicho, Orestiada and Soufli.

The Polish Orthodox Church sent Bishop Andrzej (Borkowski) of Supraśl. The Ukrainian Orthodox Church was represented by Metropolitan Sergiy of Ternopil and Kremenets and Archbishop Iov of Shumsk, vicar of the Ternopil Diocese and rector of the Pochaiv Theological Seminary.

Representing the Georgian Orthodox Church were Metropolitan Feodor of Akhaltsikhe and Tao-Klarjeti, Metropolitan Sava of Khoni and Samtredia, Metropolitan Gerasime of Zugdidi and Tsaishi, Metropolitan Andria of Gori and Ateni, Bishop Melchisedek of Margveti and Ubisi, and Bishop Vakhtang of Nikortsminda.

During the meeting, the visiting church representatives congratulated Shio III on his election to the patriarchal throne. They also expressed their affection for Georgia and highlighted the Georgian Orthodox Church’s special role in the Orthodox Christian world.

The meeting concluded with an exchange of commemorative gifts.

Georgia is celebrating the 1,700th anniversary of Christianity’s proclamation as the state religion in 2026. The adoption of Christianity in the fourth century marked a turning point in the country’s history, significantly shaping its cultural heritage and national identity.