The Holy Synod of the Georgian Orthodox Church has called on the people of Georgia to embrace repentance, unity, and spiritual renewal following the passing of Patriarch Ilia II.
“Today, our love for the Patriarch must be shown by following his long-standing exhortations; first of all, by confessing our sins before God and one another, through mutual forgiveness and reconciliation. By reviving Christlike love, we will be able to establish peaceful coexistence in the country and unify society,” the Synod said in its message.
Georgian hierarchs stressed that the patriarch’s spiritual legacy must be continued through fidelity to faith and national identity.
“Let us keep on the path paved by our ancestors, where the historical role of the Catholicos-Patriarch of Georgia is invaluable,” the statement said.
A Life in the Light of Christ
The message described the Georgian primate’s personality as marked by love, humility and wisdom.
“The apostolic feat accomplished by His Holiness – the conversion of a nation separated from God to the faith – was possible only through complete self-sacrifice to God and the Fatherland.”
“His love and care were directed toward every citizen of Georgia, regardless of faith or ethnicity,” it added.
At the same time, members of the Holy Synod expressed hope in God’s mercy and in the patriarch’s intercession.
“We gain hope that his prayer will continue to strengthen us spiritually and enlighten our minds, so that we may continue to walk on the royal path he has trodden and in the near future achieve the unification and revival of the country.”
Patriarch Ilia II—Archbishop of Mtskheta and Tbilisi, Metropolitan of Bichvinta and Tskhum-Abkhazia, and Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia—died on Tuesday evening, 17 March 2026, at the age of 93.
According to the Synod, he will be buried at the Sioni Cathedral.
Photo: Facebook / Georgian Patriarchate
