• The Georgian Orthodox Church elected a new patriarch, Shio III, at the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Tbilisi.
  • Shio III, 57, born Elizbar Mujiri, received 22 votes from the 39-member Holy Synod.
  • He succeeds Ilia II, who died in March at age 93 after leading the Church for 49 years.
  • Critics say Ilia II allowed the Church to come under the influence of the Russian Orthodox Church.
  • The election comes amid protests against the ruling Georgian Dream party over its alleged pro-Russian shift.
  • Shio III studied at the Moscow Theological Academy, like his predecessor.

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