‘Immeasurable is the Patriarch’s merit to the country, and his contribution to the cause of building churches, promoting education, and keeping peace and tranquillity in the country,’ Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia stated after today’s Divine Liturgy celebrating the anniversary of the Patriarch’s enthronement in the Svetitskhoveli Cathedral.

The Head of Government congratulated His Holiness and Beatitude Catholicos-Patriarch of All-Georgia Ilia II on the occasion of his 42nd enthronement anniversary and wished him good health and many years.

Today, Georgia and the whole Orthodox Christian world are celebrating the 42nd anniversary of the enthronement of our Patriarch, His Holiness and Beatitude, who was enthroned here in the Svetitskhoveli Cathedral 42 years ago.

Every year since has been difficult, and the country has emerged victorious with His Holiness as its shepherd.

The Patriarch is our shepherd. On behalf of the Government of Georgia, I congratulate him, all Georgia, and the whole Orthodox Christian world on this day. And I wish him good health,’ Giorgi Gakharia said.

The holy liturgy was held at the Svetitskhoveli Cathedral in Mtskheta regarding the enthronement of Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, His Holiness and Beatitude Ilia II.

Politicians including Bidzina Ivanishvili, Chairman of the ruling Georgian Dream party, Giorgi Gakharia, Prime Minister of Georgia and Archil Talakvadze, Chairman of the Parliament of Georgia attended the liturgy.

The Georgian Orthodox Church marks the 42nd anniversary of the enthronement of Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia today.

His Holiness and Beatitude Ilia II has officially been the spiritual head of the Georgian Orthodox Church for 42 years.

Ilia II was elected as a Catholicos-Patriarch on December 23, 1977, when he was 44 years old.