Dutch Minister of Foreign Affairs Tom Berendsen extended condolences to the Georgian Orthodox Church (GOC) and the Georgian people over the death of Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, Ilia II.

The Dutch Embassy to Georgia released the condolence statement.

“On behalf of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, I would like to extend to the Georgian Orthodox Church and the grieving Georgian people our deepest condolences on the passing of His Holiness and Beatitude, Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia Ilia II.

His Holiness provided spiritual guidance to the Georgian people for nearly five decades, serving as a pillar of faith and unity through turbulent periods in the country’s history. He was loved and respected by the Georgian people for his wisdom and his love for Georgia.

I wish the Georgian Orthodox Church strength at this difficult time,” reads the statement.

Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia Ilia II passed away on March 17 at the age of 93.

Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, His Holiness and Beatitude Ilia II, will be laid to rest on Sunday, March 22, in the Sioni Cathedral.