Ilia II became a central moral authority during the Georgian independence movement.
Ilia II became Patriarch of the Georgian Orthodox Church while the country was still under Soviet rule. During his tenure, the church gained new popularity, and after the country’s independence, the patriarch became one of the most influential figures in the republic. He has now passed away.
After nearly 50 years at the helm of the Georgian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Ilia II has died at the age of 93. This was announced by Metropolitan Shio Mujiri, who will lead the church on an interim basis until a new patriarch is elected. According to hospital reports, Ilia II was admitted to the hospital on Tuesday morning with “massive stomach bleeding.” He had led the Georgian Orthodox Church since 1977, making him one of the longest-serving religious leaders in the world. In the history of independent Georgia, he was regarded as one of the most influential figures and also as the spiritual leader of the nation.
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