“I offer my heartfelt condolences to the entire Georgian people for this grave loss, the likes of which I cannot recall in my lifetime,” Mikheil Sarjveladze, Minister of Health of Georgia, expressed condolences following the death of Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia Ilia II.

Speaking to journalists at the Caucasus Medical Center, Sarjveladze said the Patriarch’s vital functions began to deteriorate at around 9:00 PM, which ultimately led to his death.

“This development was expected at any moment. This is precisely what hemorrhagic instability means, something we had been speaking about from the very beginning. Despite great hope and determination, something happened that no one wanted—least of all us. Unfortunately, the processes developed in such a way that the vital signs dropped very quickly, which ultimately led to this great tragedy.

As you know, it all initially began with a stomach ulcer associated with bleeding. After the necessary medical procedures were carried out, this was followed by multiple organ failure, manifested in lung, kidney and heart failure. In such a condition, the body has difficulty maintaining stable blood pressure.

Although it happened suddenly, it was at the same time expected, because in conditions of such instability, deterioration could occur at any moment. At the time, I did not say this publicly, but each member of the medical council noted that such an outcome, unfortunately, could happen at any time. I truly did not want to lose hope,” Sarjveladze explained.

He added that the loss is a profound tragedy for the country.

“Georgia will be different from tomorrow. It will be very hard for all of us without our beloved Patriarch,” the minister said.

Ilia II died on March 17 at the age of 93