Patriarch Ilia II Turns 86
4th of January is the birthday of His Holiness and Beatitude Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia Ilia II. He turned 86 years old today.
Born as Irakli Shiolashvili on January 4, 1933, he was chosen as a Patriarch by the Holy Synod of the Georgian Orthodox Church on December 23, 1977. The ceremony of consecration of Ilia II to the position of Patriarch took place on 25th of December, 1977. He was 44 years old at that time.
The leaders of the government have congratulated to His Holiness on his birthday. The Speaker of Parliament of Georgia Irakli Kobakhidze has praised Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia with the following words: “Your Holiness, with great respect and love I wish you a happy birthday. It was a special honor for the Georgian nation that you became the leader of the Georgian church and the spiritual leader, and this happened just when there were difficult times in the country. You give an example to everyone and inspire people to become better and love each other and homeland”.
The Mayor of Tbilisi Kakha Kaladze and the Minister of Foreign Affairs David Zalkaliani have also sent congratulatory message to Ilia II.
On December 25, 2018, Georgia marked the 41st anniversary of the enthronization of Ilia II to the position.
Ilia II has played an incredibly big role in case of increasing the influence of Georgian Orthodox Church during the Soviet Period and keeping the Georgian nation united.
Currently there are about 2,000 acting churches and monasteries in Georgia and up to 3,000 monks and nuns.
By Ketevan Kvaratskheliya
Image source: Agenda.ge