Patriarch Ilia II, a towering figure in Georgia’s religious and political life for nearly 50 years, has died at 93
TBILISI: The head of the Georgian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Ilia II, has died at the age of 93. The church announced his passing on Tuesday, ending a nearly half-century tenure leading one of the nation’s most powerful institutions.
Metropolitan Shio Mujiri, the incumbent of the patriarchal throne, confirmed the news to journalists. “The Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, His Holiness and Beatitude Ilia II, has reposed in the Lord,” he said.
Mujiri offered his condolences “to Georgia and to the entire Christian world.” Ilia II was hospitalised on Tuesday morning with “mass bleeding from (the) stomach,” according to Caucasus Medical Centre director Sopio Aspanidze.
He became the 141st primate of the Georgian Apostolic Autocephalous Orthodox Church in 1977. This made him one of the world’s longest-serving religious leaders.
Born Irakli Ghudushauri-Shiolashvili in 1933, he rose through the Soviet-era church hierarchy. He later became a central moral authority during Georgia’s independence movement.
Widely respected at home, Ilia II often played a stabilising role during political crises. He frequently mediated between rival factions in the country.
Under his leadership, the church significantly expanded its influence in Georgian politics and public life. It maintained close ties with the state throughout his patriarchate.
Critics, however, accused the church of muted responses to government crackdowns on opponents. They also pointed to its support for conservative legislation and reluctance to challenge the ruling Georgian Dream government over perceived democratic backsliding.
The church will be led by Metropolitan Shio Mujiri until a new leader is elected. The Georgian church is one of the world’s 14 self-governed Orthodox churches.
It traces its origins to the early fourth century when Christianity became the state religion of the ancient Georgian kingdom of Iberia. His death removes a towering figure from the Caucasus nation where the church remains highly influential.
