Georgia elects new patriarch

Georgia has elected a new patriarch – Metropolitan Shio, 57, born Elizbar Mujiri. The expanded assembly of the Georgian Orthodox Church was held at the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Tbilisi.

Around 1,200 people attended the event, but only members of the Holy Synod had voting rights: 39 bishops in total. Metropolitan Shio received the majority of votes, with 22 out of 39.