The Georgian Orthodox Church has mourned the death of Patriarch Ilia II, who was 93 years old. OC Media reports (Updated: 18 minutes ago) on this significant event. The long-standing head of the Georgian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Ilia II, died on Tuesday evening following his admission to intensive care due to abdominal bleeding.
Shio Mujiri, the current patriarch, announced the news to reporters outside the hospital. He described the late patriarch as a “defining figure” and expressed deep sorrow for the entire Orthodox world. Mujiri will assume the patriarchal throne until a new leader is chosen.
He had already been managing the church’s daily operations in recent years, reflecting the patriarch’s declining health. Patriarch Ilia II had led the Georgian Orthodox Church since 1977, playing a crucial role during pivotal moments in Georgian history, including the nation’s independence from the Soviet Union. For many years, he and the church maintained widespread public support, consistently ranking as the most trusted figure in the georgian nation.
Senior government officials, including Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, gathered at the clinic where he received treatment. This developing story will be updated. The Georgian Orthodox Church, a vital part of the orthodox tradition, has experienced a profound loss.
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