“For 48 years, Georgia’s spiritual father, His Holiness and Beatitude, Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia Ilia II, has served our Church, our faith and our homeland with dignity and honour,” states a message of congratulation from Bidzina Ivanishvili, Honorary Chairman of Georgian Dream.

“His Holiness’s contribution to strengthening Georgian unity, Christianity and statehood is invaluable. Despite numerous trials, Ilia II has worthily borne the heavy cross of spiritual father to the nation for nearly half a century.

On behalf of my wife, Ekaterine Khvedelidze, and myself, I congratulate the Patriarch on the jubilee of his enthronement. I wish him health and strength so that he may continue his work for many more years in strengthening Orthodox values,” reads Bidzina Ivanishvili’s message of congratulations.