Georgian Patriarch marks 42nd anniversary of consecration
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Georgian Patriarch Ilia II, who will turn 87 in January, has marked the 42nd anniversary of his appointment to the position.
Georgian PM Giorgi Gakharia says that the role of Ilia II in building the church, for the education field and keeping peace is “huge.”
The merit of Ilia II before the country is tremendous,” Gakharia said while attending a liturgy at Trinity Cathedral in Tbilisi.
The founder of the ruling Georgian Dream party Bidzina Ivanishvili said that Georgia “is lucky to have the patriarch like Ilia II.”
Georgian top officials have congratulated the patriarch on the day. Photo: IPN.
Ilia II became the patriarch when he was 44 years old.
In 1988 there were only 180 priests, 40 monks,15 nuns, 200 churches, one seminary, three convents, and four monasteries in Georgia.
Currently there are about 2,000 acting churches and monasteries in Georgia and up to 3,000 monks and nuns.
Alilo, the traditional celebratory Christmas march of Georgians through the street has taken place in Tbilisi and throughout Georgia's regions today as the country celebrates Christmas. During the Alilo march, the participants sang Christmas carols and exchanged gifts to mark Christmas, celebrated each year in Georgia on January 7.
Members of the Georgian Orthodox Church, together with part of the Orthodox world, celebrate Christmas today according to the Julian calendar. The special liturgy commenced at Tbilisi's Holy Trinity Cathedral at midnight as Georgia's Patriarch Ilia II led the annual ceremony.
Today the Catholics Patriarch of Georgia Ilia II turned 85. He has lead the spiritual life of the Orthodox Georgian parish for the past 40 years.
Pope Francis invited Georgian Catholicos Patriarch Ilia II to the Vatican next year. In a letter which was published earlier today, Pope Francis recalled his visit to Georgia back in 2016, saying he wished to meet with Ilia II again next year.
Catholics Patriarch of Georgia Ilia II turned 87 today. He has been leading the spiritual life of the Orthodox Georgian parish for 42 years now.
Catholics Patriarch of Georgia Ilia II turned 88 today. He has been leading the spiritual life of the Orthodox Georgian parish for 43 years now.
Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili on Wednesday joined messages of congratulation to Ilia II, the Catholicos Patriarch of the Georgian Orthodox Church, on his 90th birthday by wishing him “many more years” at the helm of the religious organisation.