Patriarch Ilia II Marks 41 Years as Head of Georgian Orthodox Church

Georgian Patriarch Ilia II has officially been the spiritual head of the Georgian Orthodox Church for 41 years. The Patriarch, born Irakli Ghudushauri-Shiolashvili in 1933, was consecrated to the position on December 25, 1977, coincidentally, Christmas Day for the Catholic and Protestant Churches. Ilia II grew up in the Kazbegi region, in the village of Sno, where you can see his childhood home and a monument dedicated to him.

The much-loved Patriarch is known for helping the Georgian Orthodox Church regain its influence and status within the Soviet Union, in the face of anti-religious policies meant to suppress the Church and make it irrelevant to the Georgian people. The Orthodox Church, particularly Ilia II, has consistently high approval ratings. In 2013, a poll by the National Democratic Institute (NDI) put his favorability rating among Georgian political figures at 94% - the highest of anyone in the poll. The 2017 Caucasus Barometer survey in Georgia, conducted by CRRC, showed that 71% of respondents belonging to the Orthodox Church said they trust the institution. There is some speculation that support for the Church will sharply decline when Ilia II dies, leaving a spiritual hole in the country, as he has developed a fervent personal following among Georgians. In January, the Patriarch will turn 86.

In one of the most illuminating statistics of recent years, a Pew Research Center report titled The Age Gap in Religion Around the World found that of the 106 countries surveyed, there were only two countries where young people are more religious than older generations – Georgia and Ghana. The reported explained the difference in part, saying, “Older adults in Georgia mostly came of age during the Soviet period when religion was repressed – including by Georgian-born leader Joseph Stalin, which is likely the main reason why young people are more religious than old ones.” However, the report also notes that the other 14 republics of the former Soviet Union do not show this pattern.

To mark the 41st anniversary of Ilia II’s consecration as Patriarch, he led an Advent service in Mtskheta at Svetiskhoveli Cathedral, the country’s most important church, on December 25. Advent is the religious season before Christmas. In the Georgian Orthodox Church, Christmas is celebrated on January 7. The service was attended by Georgian Prime Minister Mamuka Bakhtadze, President Salome Zurabishvili and several other top officials. Bakhtadze spoke to reporters saying that Ilia II has led the revival of the Georgian Orthodox Church, leading a period of “unprecedented building…Hundreds of churches have been built and restored under Ilia II. The Patriarch’s appeals for love of the motherland, tolerance, education and work are much needed for the State’s development.”

The Patriarch himself spoke on the occasion, saying “Our nation is caring. If not for your love, I would not be able to carry the burden [of this role]. Be blessed and happy. Glory and Gratitude to God.”

By Samantha Guthrie

Image source: REUTERS/David Mdzinarishvili