Tbilisi, January 5, 2024
Photo: sazu.ge His Holiness Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia II of Georgia, the most trusted and beloved man in the nation and one of the most beloved hierarchs in the Orthodox world, turned 91 yesterday, January 4.
The Public Relations Service of the Patriarchate of Georgia issued a statement for the occasion:
With great love and respect, we congratulate His Holiness Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia of All Georgia, Archbishop of Mtskheta-Tbilisi, Metropolitan of Bichvinta and Tskhum-Abkhazia on his 91st birthday.
With his life and deeds, His Holiness is a true example of faithfulness to the faith of Christ, humility, love, kindness, gratitude, patience, forgiveness, and caring for one’s neighbor.
We thank God for blessing us with such an outstanding, grateful and strong shepherd at an important time for our country and Church.
May the Lord grant that His Holiness and Beatitude continue to guide the Orthodox Church of Georgia on the path of the truth of Christ and the spiritual strengthening of the Georgian nation.
The Georgian Church celebrated the 45th anniversary of the enthronement of Pat. Ilia as primate on December 25, 2022.
At the time of his enthronement, there were 15 dioceses and only 30 active churches left thanks to communist persecutions. Today there are 47 dioceses and about 2,000 active parishes, as well as about 3,000 clergy.
The Patriarch is also the most beloved and trusted man in the nation, and today he is the Godfather to more than 47,000 Georgian children.
May God grant His Holiness and Beatitude Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia many blessed years!
Follow OrthoChristian on Twitter, Vkontakte, Telegram, WhatsApp, MeWe, and Gab!
