The State Agency for Religious Issues extends its condolences to the people of Georgia on the passing of His Holiness and Beatitude Ilia II, Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, Archbishop of Mtskheta-Tbilisi, Metropolitan of Bichvinta and Tskhum-Abkhazia.

The Patriarch of Georgia was not only the spiritual father of Orthodox Georgians, but also he was praying for all citizens of Georgia and that’s why he enjoyed the greatest authority and love.

The Patriarch of Georgia commanded special respect in the Christian world. He had to serve during the most difficult period. The Patriarch's contribution to the restoration of the autocephaly of the Georgian Church and to the history of independent Georgia is immeasurable. Over the past half century, the Patriarch was an active participant and often even the creator of all crucial events.

Once again, we express our condolences on the passing of the Patriarch of All Georgia, who left a huge mark on the recent history of Georgia. The era of the Great Patriarch is over.