Ilia II – 41 years of my being Patriarch were difficult
Ilia II – 41 years of my being Patriarch were difficult

Forty-one years of my being Patriarch of Georgia were difficult but I always felt your support and blessing from God – Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, His Holiness and Beatitude Ilia II stated at Svetitskhoveli Cathedral in Mtskheta town where solemn church service was held on the occasion of the 41st anniversary of the enthronement of Ilia II.

“Our nation is caring. If not your love, I would not be able to carry this burden. Be blessed and happy. Glory and Gratitude to God,” Ilia II said.

Georgia’s President Salome Zurabishvili and Mamuka Bakhtadze, Georgian Prime Minister attended the solemn church service in Mtskheta.

Georgian Patriarch is receiving congratulations from members of the Holy Synod, representatives of the authorities and the believers.

In 1967, Ilia was consecrated as the bishop of Tskhumi and Abkhazeti and elevated to the rank of metropolitan in 1969. After the death of the controversial Patriarch David V, he was elected the new Catholicos-Patriarch of Georgia on December 25, 1977.