The patriarch of Georgia, Ilia II, passed away at the age of 93, marking a profound loss for the Georgian Orthodox Church and the nation. For 49 years, he served as catholicos-patriarch, a truly epoch-making figure. Metropolitan Shio Mujiri confirmed the news, expressing immense sorrow and offering condolences to all citizens of Georgia, the Church, and the wider Christian community.
The patriarch’s health had been declining, prompting his transfer to Tbilisi’s Chapidze Cardiology Center following a drop in blood oxygen levels. Internal bleeding was discovered, leading to a critical condition requiring intensive care and intubation at the Caucasus Medical Center. Clergy and government officials remained at the clinic, alongside numerous grieving parishioners.
A resuscitation team from Turkey was anticipated. Medical assessments revealed multiple organ failure, including issues with the lungs, kidneys, and heart, a condition the medical council had previously warned about. Ilia II, born Irakli Shiolashvili in 1933, had completed his theological education at institutions in Moscow before taking monastic vows in 1957 as Ilia.
Elected catholicos-patriarch in 1977, he held the title His Holiness and Beatitude Ilia II, 141st primate of the Georgian Church. Following the patriarch’s death, the Church will be governed by the appointed Locum Tenens, Metropolitan Shio Mujiri. The Holy Synod and Expanded Council will select three candidates, with the new patriarch elected by a majority vote at a council held within two months of the death.
Candidates must be Georgian citizens, Georgian Orthodox bishops, possess theological education and administrative experience, and be between 40 and 70 years old, and be a monk. The enthronement will occur at Svetitskhoveli Cathedral in Mtskheta. A period of mourning has been declared in Georgia, with state flags lowered.
Funeral procedures will commence tomorrow at the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Tbilisi.
Topics: #patriarch #catholicos #georgia
Catholicos-Patriarch of Georgia Ilia II has passed away.