Pope wishes “good health”, “abundant spiritual gifts” to Georgian Patriarch on anniversary
The head of the Catholic Church wished the Georgian Patriarch “good health and abundant spiritual gifts” in his message, which joined congratulations released throughout the day by officials in the country. Photo: Reuters
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Pope Francis on Wednesday congratulated Ilia II, the Catholicos Patriarch of Georgia’s Orthodox Church, on the double celebration of his 90th birthday and the 45th anniversary of his time at the helm of the religious organisation.
The head of the Catholic Church wished the Georgian Patriarch “good health and abundant spiritual gifts” in his message, which joined congratulations released throughout the day by officials in the country.
While your many years of service to the Lord have seen a wide variety of challenges and an extensive transformation of your country, the Church entrusted to your care has always grown and prospered spiritually”, the Pope told Ilia II in the letter.
The message also stressed the Pope’s “fraternal embrace of peace” with the head of the country’s Orthodox Church.
Ilia II was consecrated as the Bishop of Abkhazia - the now Russian-occupied north-western region of Georgia - and elevated to the rank of Metropolitan in 1969.
After the death of Patriarch David V, he was elected the new Catholicos Patriarch on December 25, 1977.
Between 1978-1983, he also served as Co-President of the World Council of Churches, which the Georgian Orthodox Church joined in 1962 but left in 1997.
We should remember that the future of humans and nations should be peaceful, the Catholicos Patriarch of Georgia Ilia II said in his New Year address, while wishing Georgian people health and a peaceful future.
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.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili on Sunday “heartily” congratulated Ilia II, the Catholicos Patriarch of Georgia’s Orthodox Church on the 45th anniversary of his consecration as Patriarch, wishing him “longevity and health” for the benefit of Georgian people and Georgia.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili on Wednesday congratulated Ilia II, the Catholicos Patriarch of Georgia’s Orthodox Church, on his 90th birthday and highlighted his “immeasurable” contribution to the nation.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili on Monday held a farewell meeting with José Avelino Bettencourt, the Ambassador of the Holy See to Georgia, after the latter completed his diplomatic term in the country.
Sofia Kartsivadze, the Chargé d'Affaires of Georgia to the Holy See, participated in the annual meeting of Pope Francis with the Diplomatic Corps accredited to the Holy See for the exchange of greetings for the New Year.