Patriarch of All Georgia Iliya II has died at the age of 93, Georgian TV channel Mtavari Arkhi reported on March 17. A representative of the Patriarchate confirmed this information. Reports Channel One of Georgia.
At night, the Patriarch was admitted to the hospital due to the deterioration of his health condition. During the last hours, he was in intensive care at the Caucasus Medical Center.
Ilia II has served as Patriarch of Georgia since 1977, for more than 48 years. This is the longest patriarchate in the history of the Georgian Orthodox Church.
As the First Georgian Channel notes, the restoration of the independence of the Georgian Orthodox Church is linked to the name of the Patriarch. The Ecumenical Patriarchate recognized the autonomy of the Georgian Church in 1990.
Mourning was declared in Georgia.