Patriarch Ilia II (Ghudushauri-Shiolashvili)

Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia II (Ghudushauri-Shiolashvili) (1933-20__)

Ilia may be spelt Ilya, Elias, Elijah.

Early life of Irakli Ghudushauri-Shiolashvili

On 4 January, 1933, Irakli Ghudushauri-Shiolashvili was born in Vladikavkaz, North Ossetia-Alania, in Georgia. His parents were Georgians from the Kazbegi district of Georgia : Giorgi Simon Shiolashvili, and Natalia Iosif Kobaidze.

Parents Georgiy and Natalia

Neighbouring villages of Sno (left) and Sioni (right)

The Shiolashvili were an influential clan in the highlands of Khevi. There are family ties with the former royal dynasty of the Bagrationi.

The history of the Ghudushauri clan covers 15 centuries. According to legend, the king of Georgia, Saint Vakhtang Gorgasali (5th century) became the successor of the founder of the clan : Ghudushi, the son of Sno, an associate of the king. Shiolashvili is one of the branches of the Ghudushauri clan, descendants of Shiola Ghudushauri (17th century), who was known for his courage. The Shiola fortress in the Kazbegi district is named after Shiola.

The parents belonged to the peasant class, and they lived in the Pshavo-Khevsur lands of Tionets in the Tbilisi (Tiflis) Province (now the Kazbegi district of Georgia). Giorgi Simon Shiolashvili (1883-1967) had grown up in the village of Sno. Natalia Iosif Kobaidze (1895-1962) had grown up in the village of Sioni. In 1927, they bought a house in Dzaudzhikau, also called Vladikavkaz, and they spent their winters there.

Their son Irakli (the fourth child born to the couple) was born in the house in Vladikavkaz. The 3-day old baby was baptised on the Feast of the Nativity of Christ. He was named Irakli in honour of the martyr, Heraclius of Sebastia, and of King Erekle II.

George and Natalia led their family life in an Orthodox Christian manner. The clergy, persecuted by the Soviet authorities, found refuge in the house. Their presence had a significant influence on the formation of the worldview of Irakli. The family was well-known by the Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia Kallistrat (Tsintsadze), who contacted Orthodox Georgians in Vladikavkaz through George.

Muslim highlanders were also friends with his parents, and they often visited their house.

In 1947, the couple, together with their like-minded people, erected an Orthodox Temple in Dzaudzhikau (Vladikavkaz). The Temple was constructed in honour of the Protection (Intercession) of Holy Mother of God (now in the Stavropol and Vladikavkaz Diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church).

Parents and siblings

Despite the political difficulties at that time, his parents made certain that Irakli was brought up in the bosom of the Orthodox Church of Georgia.

Irakli's godfather Archimandrite Taras (Kandelaki)

Higher education

In 1952, Irakli Shiolashvili graduated from Public School No. 22 in Vladikavkaz, thus completing his primary and secondary education. By then, Irakli had accepted the inclination to follow a theological path in his life.

He enrolled in the Moscow Theological Seminary. Already in the first year of the seminary, he was given an award for the best term paper. Then he continued his studies in the Moscow Theological Academy, from which he later graduated.

In his second year of the academy course, he decided to ask to be tonsured a monk.

Student Irakli

Having first received the blessing of the rector of the Moscow Theological Academy, Professor Archpriest Konstantin Ruzhitsky and then Patriarch Alexei I (Simansky) of Moscow and All Russia, he left for Tbilisi in order to ask for the blessing of the Catholicos-Patriarch of Georgia Melchizedek III (Pkhaladze). The Catholicos-Patriarch, convinced of the firm decision of the seminarian, blessed the elder-Bishop Zinoviy (Mazhugu) of Stepanavan to tonsure him.

Monastic tonsure, 1957

On 16 April, 1957, with the blessing of the Catholicos-Patriarch of Georgia Melkisedek III (Pkhaladze), the second-year student Irakli Ghudushauri-Shiolashvili was tonsured to be a monk (which is sometimes called being “tonsured to the mantiya”).

He was tonsured in the Tbilisi Temple of Saint Alexander Nevsky (the replacement for the original) by Bishop Zinoviy ​​(Mazhuga) of Stepanovan (a titular vicariate), Vicar-Bishop of the Patriarch of Tbilisi Melchisidek III. Bishop Zinoviy gave the new monk the name Ilia, in honour of the Holy Prophet Elias.

Diaconal ordination, 1957

On Great and Holy Thursday, 18 April, 1957, Monk Ilia (Ghudushauri-Shiolashvili) was ordained to the Holy Diaconate by Catholicos-Patriarch Melchizedek III in the Tbilisi Sioni Dormition Cathedral.

Dormition "Sioni" Cathedral, Tbilisi

In the Sioni Cathedral, on the left side, there is kept in a protected place on the wall the Grape-vine Cross which was woven together by Saint Nino.

The Vine-branch Cross fashioned by Saint Nino

Presbyteral ordination, 1959

On 10 May, 1959, Hierodeacon Ilia (Ghudushauri-Shiolashvili) was ordained to the Holy Priesthood by Patriarch Alexei I (Simansky), in the Temple of Saint Sergius of Radonezh in Holy Trinity-Saint Sergius Lavra.

Hieromonk Ilia (Ghudushauri-Shiolashvili)

Pastoral service

Upon ordination, Patriarch Alexei I (Simansky) awarded Hieromonk Ilia (Ghudushauri-Shiolashvili) the gold Pectoral Cross.

Hieromonk Ilia (Ghudushauri-Shiolashvili) continued his studies at the Moscow Theological Academy.

He graduated in 1960 after defending his thesis "History of the Iberian Monastery on Athos". He had been awarded the degree of Candidate of Theology. The graduate was given the opportunity to continue his academic work at the academy. However, Hieromonk Ilia, aware of the clergy-shortage in Georgia, and connecting his future with serving in the Church of Georgia, went to Tbilisi to see Catholicos-Patriarch Ephrem II (Sidamonidze), who advised him to do “as your heart tells you”.

Hieromonk Ilia remained in Georgia ; and he was assigned to serve as a priest in the Batumi Cathedral Church of the Mother of God. He also served in the Temple of Saint Nicholas in Batumi.

On 27 December, 1960, Hieromonk Ilia (Ghudushauri-Shiolashvili) was elevated to the dignity of igumen.

On 16 September, 1961, Igumen Ilia (Ghudushauri-Shiolashvili) was elevated to the dignity of archimandrite.

Archimandrite Ilia came to consider that Adzharia (in southwest Georgia) was the place where he "for the first time realised the meaning of the word 'flock'". Part of the population of Adzharia professed Islam (it has a border with Turkey) ; and the activity of the young pastor contributed to the strengthening of the Orthodox Christian Faith in the region and to the growth in the number of Orthodox Faithful.

Archimandrite Ilya

In 1963, the Holy Synod of Bishops of the Church of Georgia elected the Archimandrite Ilia (Ghudushauri-Shiolashvili) to become a bishop.

Episcopal ordination, 1963

On 25 August, 1963, Archimandrite Ilia (Ghudushauri-Shiolashvili) was ordained to the Holy Episcopate by Patriarch Ephrem II (Sidamonidze) of Georgia. He was assisted by Metropolitan David (Devdariani) of Urbnisi ; Metropolitan Naum (Shavianidze) of Kutaisi-Gaenati ; Bishop Leonid (Zhvania) of Sukhumi-Abkhazia ; and Bishop Zinovy ​​(Mazhugi) of Stepanovan.

Episcopal service

Bishop Ilia (Ghudushauri-Shiolashvili) was assigned to serve as the Bishop of Batumi and Shemokmedi.

He was also assigned to serve as patriarchal vicar.

Bishop Ilia and Patriarch Pimen

Soon afterwards in 1963, Bishop Ilia was assigned to serve as the first rector of the Theological Seminary in Mtskheta.

In the autumn of 1964, despite the resistance from the authorities, Catholicos-Patriarch Ephrem II (Sidamonidze) and Bishop Ilia achieved the recovery of the seminary in the ancient capital, Mtskheta. This was the seminary itself, the only spiritual educational institution in Georgia at that time. The Pastoral Theological Courses were named after Bishop Gabriel (Kikodze).

In 1965, the courses were reorganised into the Mtskheta School of Culture, of which Bishop Ilia remained the rector until 26 May, 1972.

Pan-Orthodox Conference, Rhodes : the matter of autocephaly, 1964

In 1964, the matter of the recognition of the autocephaly of Georgia was a matter of serious concern for the Church of Georgia. Many of the Orthodox Churches at the time still considered her to be merely autonomous. As her representative, Bishop Ilia took part in the 3rd Pan-Orthodox Conference on the island of Rhodes (1-15 November, 1964). During the meeting, citing evidence in favour of the historical validity of the autocephaly of the Church of Georgia, he raised the question about recognition by the Patriarchate of Constantinople, and about the placement in the order of the diptychs of the Church of Georgia. When he failed to reach an understanding with the participants of the meeting, Bishop Ilia left the meeting in protest.

Rector of the Mtskheta Theological Seminary, 1965

Patriarch Ephrem II, Bishop Ilia, Students of the Mtskheta Seminary

Bishop Ilia highly appreciated the labours of the ascetics on Mount Athos and their part in the development of the national self-consciousness and culture of Georgia. Therefore his first printed publication (1966) was dedicated to one of the most significant saints of the Georgian Church. This was Saint George (Mtatsmindeli) the Athonite, an ascetic and translator of the Sacred Scriptures and of patristic literature into Georgian.

Bishop of Sukhumi and Abkhazia, 1967

In 1967, Bishop Ilia (Ghudushauri-Shiolashvili) was elected to serve as the Bishop of Sukhumi and Abkhazia, with the cathedral in Sukhumi.

When Bishop Ilia began his pastoral service, he recognised that the parishioners were of various nationalities. As a sign of respect for them, he took care during the services to make exclamations not only in Georgian, but also in the Church Slavonic, Abkhazian and Greek languages.

Patriarch Ephrem II and Bishop Ilia

On 17 May, 1969, Bishop Ilia (Ghudushauri-Shiolashvili) was elevated to the dignity of metropolitan.

Metropolitan of Sukhumi and Abkhazia

During this period of time, Bishop Ilia made many trips abroad on behalf of the Georgian Orthodox Church.

Metropolitan Ilia had an opportunity to visit his god-mother Igumenia Zoila (Dvalishvili). She served first as the Abbess of the Bedia Monastery in Abkhazia (1950s), and then (1960s-1973) as Abbess of the Samtavro Monastery of Saint Nino at Mtskheta.

Metropolitan Ilia, Igumenia Zoila

From 28 June to 4 July, 1970, Metropolitan Ilia was in Geneva, Switzerland for a meeting of the commission "Church and Society" of the "World Council of Churches" (WCC), which the Church of Georgia had joined in 1967. Because of his particular care for the work to protect human rights, he called on the conference participants to condemn biological experiments unacceptable to mankind ; and to be wary of technological success, because "the misuse of scientific and technological progress will bring great harm".

In 1972, Metropolitan Ilia (Ghudushauri-Shiolashvili) was awarded the right to wear 2 panagias.

Repose of Patriarch Ephrem II, 1972

On 7 April, 1972, Catholicos-Patriarch Ephrem II (Sidamonidze) reposed in the Lord. By unanimous vote of the bishops, clergy and Faithful, Metropolitan Ilia was chosen to succeed him. However, his candidacy was rejected by Mr. V A Kuroyedov, the chairman of the Council for Religious Affairs under the Council of Ministers of the USSR. He justified the rejection by referring to the disruption of the meeting on the Island of Rhodes in 1964.

Therefore, on 1 June, 1972, at a subsequent electoral assembly of the Church of Georgia, Metropolitan David V (Devdariani) was elected to become the next Catholicos-Patriarch.

In 1975, Metropolitan Ilia (Ghudushauri-Shiolashvili) was awarded the right to a diamond Cross on the klobuk.

Metropolitan Ilia took part in many international forums : in Czechoslovakia, the USA and Greece ; in meetings of the Theological Commission at the Christian Peace Conference (KMK) in Amsterdam (1974) and in Bucharest (1975).

In 1976, he was on an official visit to India, when he met with President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed and Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. There, he took part in a meeting of the Christian Peace Conference Theological Commission in Bangalore. At this meeting, the concern about individual rights was raised.

In 1977, Metropolitan Ilia, as part of the GOC delegation, participated in the work of the World Conference “Religious Figures for Lasting Peace, Disarmament and Just Relations among Nations” (Moscow).

Repose of Patriarch David, 1977

On 9 November 1977, the Patriarch of All Georgia David V (Devdariani) fell asleep in the Lord.

Immediately, Metropolitan Ilia was elected by the bishops to serve as the Locum-Tenens of the Patriarchal Throne.

On 14 December, 1977, at Holy Trinity-Saint Sergius Lavra near Moscow, as Locum-Tenens of the Patriarchal Throne, Metropolitan Ilia took part in a meeting of the Heads and Representatives of Churches and religious associations of the USSR. Those gathered protested against the production of nuclear weapons and their deployment on the territory of the countries of Western Europe.

On 23 December, 1977, at the Sioni Cathedral in Tbilisi, the 12th Council of the Georgian Orthodox Church took place. The Metropolitan of Sukhumi-Abkhazia was chosen to succeed Patriarch David as the Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia.

Patriarch, 1977

The enthronement of Metropolitan Ilia (Ghudushauri-Shiolashvili) to become the Catholicos-Patriarch took place in Holy Transfiguration Cathedral in Mtskheta on 25 December, 1977, during the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy. It was led by Patriarch Pimen (Izvekov) of Russia. He was assisted by the bishops of the Church of Georgia, and by other Orthodox Christian bishops who were invited.

The Patriarch’s name was adjusted to “Ilia II” (Patriarch Ilia I led the Georgian Church more than 1600 years ago, in 390-400 A.D.).

His official title is “His Holiness and Beatitude, Archbishop of Mtskheta-Tbilisi and Metropolitan Bishop of Bichvinta and Tskhum-Abkhazia, and Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia”.

Patriarchal service

Patriarch Ilia II, 1979

On the day of the enthronement in the ancient capital, Catholicos Vazgen I (Baljian) of Armenia (who was present during the solemn services), commented that "there had been no influx of such a number of people in Mtskheta since 12 March, 1917" (the day of the recovery of the autocephaly of the Georgian Church).

On this day, Patriarch Ilia II addressed these solemn words to those who were present :

 I am aware of the hardest and at the same time honourable duty that the Lord has entrusted to me 
 under the vaults of this holy Temple. [...] I bow my head before the Georgian Church and her flock - 
 the Georgian people, to whom I owe service with reverence with all my strength and mind, with that
 faith, for which our few people shed so much blood in its defence and preservation.  

After having become the First Hierarch of Georgia, Patriarch Ilia began the implementation of reforms that enabled the Church of Georgia to regain much of its former influence and prestige, attributes had been suppressed by the Soviet Union.

The Church of Georgia in 1977 ; renewal and revitalisation activities

At the time of the enthronement, the Church of Georgia had 7 bishops ; 15 dioceses (5 without bishops) ; 34 Temples that were registered ; 4 monasteries, all not registered. Because of the strong pressure of Soviet ideological propaganda, there were very few identifiable faithful people, and there was scarcely any liturgical or spiritual literature.

In 1978, Patriarch Ilia ordained 4 new bishops ; there were celebrations of the 1500th anniversary of the creation of the Church of Georgia ; a hagiographic work "The Martyrdom of Saint Shushanik" was published ; fraternal visits by the Patriarchs of Constantinople and Antioch and their entourages were made ; there were visits from both Mount Athos and the USA.

Also in 1978, giving special attention to the education of the Faithful, Patriarch Ilia determined that in the Tbilisi Sioni Cathedral, every Tuesday evening 3 sermons would be read, one of which he always delivered himself.

Publishing begins

On 8 February, 1978, at a meeting of the Holy Synod, it was decided to establish the Publishing Department of the patriarchate and to issue an official printed periodical of the Georgian Church. On 23 March, 1978, at a meeting of the Council for Religious Affairs, the publication of the Church calendar in 2 types was permitted : a wall-calendar, and a folding pocket calendar, with a total circulation of 5,000 copies. Since 1979, the periodical "Jvari Vazisa" ("Vine Cross") began to be published, with a circulation of 1,000 copies.

In 1978, Patriarch Ilia spoke out against the mass persecution and murder of Armenians in Beirut (Lebanon).

State of the Church of Georgia 1979

In 1979, there were already 46 registered Temples in Georgia, and about 80 more clergy serving them. During these first 2 years, 34 priests had been ordained, despite the fact that the choice of a path of pastoral service at that time was considered humiliating. The patriarch continued to petition for the registration of Temples and monasteries which were actually functioning, and for the re-opening of Temples, the buildings of which were occupied by Soviet infrastructure.

Provision of Christian Education

At the Tbilisi Sioni Cathedral, a Sunday school was opened, with which, on a voluntary basis, classes were held in groups to teach Church reading, choral singing, and needlework. Representatives of the youth, despite pressure from the authorities (who threatened expulsion from the university and dismissal from work), performed the obediences of readers, subdeacons, teachers, scribes, cleaners, etc. for free. The new patriarch's popularity and respect amongst believers attracted even members of the families of high-ranking party workers, who began secretly to visit the cathedral. The number of believers in other Temples also increased significantly. For example, 5,000 people came to the Sukhumi Cathedral on the Feast of Pascha, 1978 (29 April), whereas in previous years there were no more than 1,500 believers at the service.

Soviet reports about increasing activities

The secular authorities were aware of the changes taking place in the Church of Georgia. Mr. T Onoprishvili, in his 1979 report of the Council for Religious Affairs for the Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic (GSSR), expressed extreme concern about the active deeds of the First Hierarch, who strengthened the episcopate of the GOC and attracted new personnel to the priesthood. The document noted specifically that during the reporting-year, the first level of the Mtskheta Children's School was completed for the first time (16 full-time students and 7 part-time students), 8 students studied at the second course, 5 students at the third level ; that the Georgian Church sent seminarians to study at the Moscow Theological Seminary, at the Moscow Theological Academy, at the Leningrad Theological Academy, and at the Theological Faculty of the University of Athens. Mr. Onoprishvili had urged Patriarch Ilia to reduce the number of services held by him, and the number of sermons he delivered. Mr. Onoprishvili was then relieved of his post due to "unsatisfactory work".

Sanctification of Holy Chrism, 1979

In 1979, in the Patriarchal Cathedral of Svetitskhoveli in Mtskheta, Patriarch Ilia (with other bishops) performed the rite of the Preparation and Sanctification of Holy Chrism. This is an act which is done only by the primate and bishops of an autocephalous Orthodox Church.

Cross-Processions

Cross-Processions began once again (following after the long period of subjection to the communists), especially in the places associated with the missionary activities of the Enlighteners of Georgia : Holy Apostle Andrew the First-Called (from Adjara/Abkhazia to Mtskheta) and Saint Nino, Equal-to-the-Apostles (from Lake Paravani to Mtskheta). These are regular and major processions.

During the 1980s, Patriarch Ilia became steadily more engaged in the social life of Georgia.

Petition to re-open Temples and monasteries, 1980=

In 1980, he sent a petition to the Council for Religious Affairs for the re-opening of the most significant spiritual centres for the Georgian Orthodox Church : the Temples of Saint Nicholas ; the Great Martyr George ; Jvarismamm ; Bolnisi ; Metekhi ; Anchiskhati ; Lurgi monastery ; and others : the catholicon of the Kvatakhevi Monastery ; Shemokmedi ; Shiomghvime ; Zarzma ; Sapara ; Gelati ; Ikalto ; Martvili ; Davitgaredja ; the Temples of Ananuri ; Tsaishi ; Gremi ; Ertatsminda ; Samtavisi ; Kintsvisi ; Tsromi ; Barakoni ; Bolnisi Zion ; Ateni Sioni in Zugdidi ; and others.

There were 5 monasteries in Georgia (not all were registered by the Department of Religious Affairs) : Betania (male) ; Samtavro ; Olginsky ; Jiketi ; Teklati (female).

Davitgaredja Caves Monastery

Patriarch Ilia wrote to the Chairman of the Government of the Georgian SSR :

 It is not clear why it was not taken into account that the Shiomgvime Monastery is active, that it 
 has a rector, and that worship did not stop there.  The question is raised about the present 
 establishments in the Georgian monasteries.  Consider the position of other Temples : in the 
 Metekhi Temple, where are the Holy Relics of Great Martyr Shushanik (V century) ? There, there is now
 a youth theatre where performances with dances are held.  In the magnificent Pitsunda Temple, where 
 the cathedral of the Catholicos-Patriarch in Western Georgia was once located, there is an organ,
 and concerts are held.  The Temple of Saint Nicholas in Tbilisi has also been turned into a 
 concert-hall.  In the Anchiskhat Patriarchal Temple, there is a workshop.  In the Temple of the 
 Holy Virgin in Nadzaladevi, there is a bathhouse.  In the Tsknet Temple, there is a bakery.  
 Throughout the cities and regions of Georgia, many Temples and monasteries have been turned into 
 warehouses. 

Combined call for withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan, 1983

In 1983, at a meeting of the All-Russian Church in Geneva, Switzerland, Patriarch Ilia II and the Chairman of the Department of External Church Relations of the Russian Orthodox Church, Metropolitan Kirill (Gundyaev) called for the withdrawal of Soviet troops from Afghanistan. This was an example of great civil courage.

World Council of Churches (WCC)

From 1978 to 1983, Ilia II was a co-president of the World Council of Churches (WCC), an “ecumenical” organisation the Georgian Orthodox Church had joined in 1962, along with other Churches in territories of the Soviet Union.

Visit to Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, for a WCC Assembly, 1983

In 1983, Patriarch Ilia II was in Vancouver, British Columbia, for the 6th General Assembly of the WCC. Thirty years later, he still recalled fondly his visit to this city for this meeting, and the services in Holy Resurrection Russian Orthodox Church there.

Patriarch Ilia in Vancouver, British Columbia, serving with Metropolitan Theodosius (Lazor) of Washington, and Metropolitan Dorotheus (Philip) of Prague

Permission to publish the Holy Bible, 1985 ; other publications

In 1985, Patriarch Ilia obtained permission from the Council for Religious Affairs to publish the Bible translated into the modern Georgian language. The Bible was ultimately published in 1989. On 26-30 June, 1985, an academic symposium was held in Tbilisi concerning problems of Bible translation, which included representatives of the Bulgarian, Polish, Finnish, and Greek Local Churches, and academics from the Bible Translation Institutes (Sweden, Great Britain) and the Bible Society (France, Greece, Germany, USA).

In his 9 November, 1987, report, Mr. G Maisuradze, Commissioner of the Council for Religious Affairs, again pointed out that the Georgian Orthodox Church was having a special influence on young people, which was caused by "the arrival of the young, energetic, more educated, intelligent, and flexible Ilya II". Mr. Maisuradze also noted that, despite the limited capacity of the Georgian Orthodox Church to publish Church literature, "this situation is used rationally [...] the main orienting tool for believers is a desktop calendar in the amount of 25-27 printed pages".

More publications appear

Soon, the Theological Collection began to appear. After 1990, the newspaper "Madli" ("Grace") was published. From 1999, "Sapatriarkos Utskebani" ("Bulletin of the Patriarchate") was published. Under the auspices of the Publishing Department of the Georgian Patriarchate, academic works, textbooks, and theological literature began to be published ; and original monuments of ancient Georgia were published, as were Church literature and translated works.

Visit to the USA, honourary degree, 1986

In 1986, Patriarch Ilia II visited North America as a guest of The Orthodox Church in America. During that visit, he was awarded an honourary Doctor of Divinity degree by Saint Vladimir’s Seminary. His degree citation reads :

 Dedicated to the spiritual revival of the Georgian people, he presided over the consecration of many bishops, 
 expanded the program of theological education, initiated publications, and gained the respect and admiration 
 of many.

Change in direction of the USSR government, 1988

More changes and improvements, 1988

The rather dramatic change in the political course of the USSR in 1988 (which came with Mr. M Gorbachev) also affected the situation of the Georgian Orthodox Church.

During that year, 45 Temples were opened. On the territory of the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic (in the jurisdiction of the Church of Georgia), 2 priests and a psalmist served in the Temple in the city of Kakhi ; on the territory of the Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic, 2 Temples were restored, where 2 priests served.

Development of theological education in Georgia

In the capital, the Tbilisi Theological Academy was opened. In this, Patriarch Ilia was supported by the Commissioner for Religious Affairs A Tsiklauri. The Mtskheta Theological Seminary was moved to Tbilisi and was in the same building as the Theological Academy.

In a speech at the opening ceremony of the academy on 1 October, 1988, Patriarch Ilia noted that “the academy will not only raise up educated clergy, but also this educational institution should turn into a centre of academic research, with which both clergy and academics will be connected. We will co-operate with other higher educational institutions, as well as with Orthodox Christian educational centres”.

In 1988, upon the initiative and leadership of Patriarch Ilia II, the Mtskheta Theological Seminary at the Samtavro Monastery was moved to Tbilisi, and it became the foundation of the newly-established Tbilisi Theological Academy and Seminary there.

Other theological schools and seminaries have been opened in various parts of Georgia, such as the seminaries in Batumi, Akhaltsikhe and Kutaisi, the Theological College and Lyceum in Khulo, and the lyceums in Tbilisi, Batumi, Zestafoni, etc.

After a great many centuries, the Gelati Theological Academy and the Gelati Academy of Liberal arts and Sciences at the Gelati Monastery (near Kutaisi) in Imereti Province were re-opened under the leadership of the Georgian Church. (Kutaisi was in ancient times the capital city of the Kingdom of Colchis.)

Gelati Monastery in West Georgia

Summary of the development of the Church of Georgia to 1988

By 1988, the number of priests in the Church of Georgia had grown to 180, and there were already 40 monks, and 15 nuns in the country. The number of Orthodox Christian believers was variously estimated as being from 1,000,000 to 3,000,000. There also were 200 Temples, a seminary, and 7 monasteries (3 female and 4 male). These numbers are significant because during the soviet period, very many temples were closed and/or demolished ; seminaries were closed ; monasteries were closed and the monks were either dispersed or killed ; very many clergy were killed.

Independence of Georgia and difficulties, 1989

On 9 April, 1989, Patriarch Ilia participated with the people in demonstrations on Rustaveli Avenue in Tbilisi against Soviet rule. The demonstrators concentrated their presence in front of the building of the Government of the Georgian SSR (now the Parliament). Calls were being made for Georgia's secession from the USSR. The patriarch was very concerned that Soviet military units were converging on the avenue. At 3:00 a.m., as these demonstrations became heated, Patriarch Ilia strongly urged the demonstrators to go with him to pray in the nearby Kashveti Church. He wanted to avoid any bloodshed. However, most of the rally participants did not heed his words. As a consequence of clashes with military units, there were 22 dead and hundreds left injured that morning.

The personality of Patriarch Ilia and his participation in the events played a significant role in overcoming the pain of the tragedy of 9 April, which was declared the Day of Sorrow in Georgia.

Construction of Holy Trinity Cathedral in Tbilisi, 1989-2004

The idea to build a new cathedral in Tbilisi in order to commemorate 1,500 years of autocephaly of the Georgian Orthodox Church and 2,000 years from the birth of Jesus Christ appeared already in 1989, a crucial year for the national awakening of the then-Soviet Republic of Georgia. In May, 1989, the Georgian Orthodox Patriarchate and the authorities of Tbilisi announced an international competition for designing and constructing the "Holy Trinity Cathedral" project. The construction of the church was proclaimed as a "symbol of the Georgian national and spiritual revival" ; and it was sponsored mostly by anonymous donations from several businessmen and other citizens. However, many tumultuous political events delayed the whole project. The foundation was laid only in 1995.

Turmoil in Georgia after the dissolution of the Soviet Union

In the early 1990s, while the Soviet Union was falling apart, Patriarch Ilia called on the rival political parties within Georgia to find a peaceful solution to the internal crisis during the civil war (1991-1993) that had broken out in Georgia.

Despite this context, in 1990, Patriarch Ilia II presided at the transfer of the body of King Solomon II (Bagrationi) of Imereti from Tebizond (Trabzon) in Turkey (where he had reposed in exile in 1815) to the Gelati Monastery in Georgia.

Patriarch Ilia II at the Gelati Monastery, transfer of the body of King Solomon II

The matter of the autocephaly of the Church of Georgia

In the first years of his patriarchal service, Patriarch Ilia II was primarily occupied with trying to resolve the concern about obtaining the recognition of the autocephaly of the Church of Georgia by the Church of Constantinople and other Local Orthodox Churches.

The autocephaly of the Church of Georgia, which had been arrived at through an autonomy from the Church of Antioch in the course of the 5th to the 11th centuries, was then given as a fact in the 11th century by the same Mother Church (Antioch). This autocephaly was then suppressed by the Russian Orthodox Church in 1811 (under the Russian Empire). It was re-asserted in 1917 (after the Bolshevik Revolution), and it was formally recognised by the Moscow Patriarchate in 1943. However, the Church of Georgia was concerned to have the autocephaly officially and formally recognised by all, hence the negotiations with Constantinople.

Recognition by Constantinople of the autocephaly of Georgia, 1990

On 4 March, 1990, on the Sunday of the Triumph of Orthodoxy, Patriarch Demetrios I (Papadopoulos) of Constantinople transmitted to Patriarch Ilia a letter that certified “the ancient independent autocephalous government of the Georgian Church and the Patriarchal title of the Georgian First Hierarch, historically and traditionally confirmed by ancient letters [...] as 'Archbishop of Mtskheta and Tbilisi, Catholicos-Patriarch of all Georgia'”.

However, the place of the Georgian Orthodox Church in the liturgical "diptychs" was determined to be 11th, that is, following after the Bulgarian Orthodox Church (BOC). Regardless, in the "diptychs" of the Russian Orthodox Church (and of most other Local Autocephalous Orthodox Churches), the Church of Georgia is given 6th place, following after the Russian Orthodox Church. The Russian placement is closer to the historical facts. Given the antiquity of the Church of Georgia, the place ought logically to be earlier still.

In a similar vein, Patriarch Ilia focussed his attention on restoring relations with foreign monasteries that once belonged to the Georgian Orthodox Church, and especially with the Iberian (Iviron) Monastery on Mount Athos and with the Holy Cross Monastery in Jerusalem.

A third area of concern for the patriarch was to try to take care of Georgians who were living abroad. Many had left their homeland as refugees and exiles. He tried in every possible way to remind them of their homeland, and to support the desire of any amongst them to return to their homeland. This was facilitated by the missionary priests who had begun to serve the communities of Georgians abroad. Some of them had also been refugees.

In 1990, with the blessing of Patriarch Ilia, work was begun and completed on establishing a single burial-place for captured Germans (from World War II) in Tbilisi.

On 29 April, 1991, Patriarch Ilia sent a letter to the President of Turkey, Turgut Özal, in which he condemned the interrogation of Patriarch Demetrius I (Papadopoulos) of Constantinople by the authorities.

From the very beginning of his patriarchal service, Patriarch Ilia II worked to establish a warm relationship with the other Orthodox Churches and their Primates through fraternal visits and other means of communication. In addition, through his international contacts, Patriarch Ilia engaged in meetings and dialogues with the leaders of other Christian confessions.

Patriarch Ilia also took part in various international conferences. Invariably, he has defended the peace-keeping role, both in the internal Church and in the foreign policy arena.

Patriarch Ilia, 1981

Works of mercy

Patriarch Ilia has paid special attention to the quality of mercy in all aspects of life. He issued a decree in which he called on believers to dedicate every Sabbath (Saturday) to their neighbour : to visit the sick, prisoners, the destitute, and, if possible, help them in word and/or deed.

In April, 1990, Patriarch Ilia sent a written appeal to the President of the USSR M S Gorbachev, in which he called upon him to abolish the death penalty and to replace it with another punishment : to show mercy to those who understand their mistakes, who repent, and who are ready to accept correction. Regularly, Patriarch Ilia himself has visited places of deprivation of liberty (gaols, prisons, detention centres), and he would meet and talk with prisoners. Prayer-rooms or corners have been set up in almost all places of detention in Georgia. In prisons, Temples are built at the request of the prisoners, and with their help. Juvenile prisoners show particular interest in the Orthodox Christian Faith.

At the insistence of Patriarch Ilia, clerics were allowed not only to visit prisoners, but also to petition for their pardon. This made it possible for the Catholicos-Patriarch and the Georgian Orthodox Church as a whole to grant freedom to hundreds of prisoners. Such liberated ones lead a Christian way of life ; they regularly take Holy Communion, and they are not seen committing serious crimes.

Civil war, 1991-1993

On 31 March, 1991, Georgia held a referendum on restoring its pre-Soviet independence. In this referendum, 90.08% of those who voted declared that they were in favour of independence. The Georgian parliament passed a declaration of independence on 9 April 1991, in effect restoring Georgia as a sovereign state as it had been in 1918-1921. This act was not accepted by the Soviet Union and universal recognition did not come until 1992.

Zviad Konstantines dze Gamsakhurdia was elected President of Georgia in the election of 26 May (with 86.5% per cent of the vote on a turnout of over 83%). He was the first freely-elected president of Georgia. Nevertheless, 30% of the country consisted of ethnic minorities who were effectively not represented in the government. This situation fuelled tensions which boiled up in Abkhazia and Ossetia. It is averred by some that the regional discontent was nurtured by certain parties in the West.

In the context of the increasing hostility, Patriarch Ilia attempted to reconcile the warring parties ; and he agreed to hold negotiations between them in the Patriarchate. There were some positive results ; but it was still not possible to avoid a collision. This difficult period of ethnic conflicts for Georgia led to destruction, casualties, and the termination of long-term ties between Georgians and Abkhazians, and between Georgians and Ossetians. This led as well as to actual battles between Georgia and Russia. In particular, these hostilities between Georgia and Russia are considered to be the source of the war that flared up in 2008.

Despite the war, the Church of Georgia and the Church of Russia maintained friendly relations. In so doing, they have shown the world community that their shared Orthodox Christian Faith is the basis on which the future peaceful co-existence of 2 neighboring sovereign states is possible.

With the assistance of Patriarch Aleksey II (Ridiger) of Moscow, and Metropolitan Kirill (Gundyaev) of Smolensk and Kaliningrad (Chairman of the Department of External Church Relations) of the Church of Russia, Patriarch Ilia was able to achieve the transfer the bodies of the slain from the conflict zone (Tskhinvali district), and to give their relatives the opportunity to bury them according to Orthodox custom. Patriarch Ilia also participated actively in the negotiations and the procedure for the release of prisoners of war.

Educational development

In 1994, the Theological Institute began functioning at the Tbilisi Theological Academy. Education in the institute is given in 3 areas : psychology and religious studies ; art history and paedagogy ; icon painting and restoration.

Tbilisi Theological Academy

On 25 May, 1995, the Gelati Academy (founded by Saint King David IV "the Builder" at the Gelati Monastery and widely-known in the Middle Ages), became a prominent member of the new academy. Spiritual educational institutions were opened in Kutaisi (at Gelati Monastery), Akhaltsikhe, Batumi (Theological Seminaries) ; in Poti, Kvareli, Kobuleti, Gori, Zugdidi, Tskhaltubo (spiritual gymnasiums).

In 2007-2008 under the Georgian Patriarchate, courses began to function for "Sisters of Mercy", and for higher musical study. The "Sisters of Mercy" was a humanitarian organisation whose members supported wounded and/or abandoned soldiers and citizens even at the cost of their own lives in one of the most difficult moments in the history of Georgia. Associated with the "Red Cross", they were prominent in World War I.

The school provided courses for Church choir directors, for college ecology and landscaping, for bee-keeping, for icon-painting, for cloisonne enamelling, for stone and wood carving, and for handicrafts. In 2008, under the Georgian Patriarchate, a secular Georgian university was founded, and it was named for the Holy Apostle Andrew the First-Called.

Patriarch Ilia II is himself a competent iconographer, and he has consistently fostered the arts in Georgia in various forms, such as song, poetry, and dance. In 2007, a book was published in Tbilisi wich included reproductions of icons painted by Patriarch Ilia : “Holy Trinity”, “God is with us”, “Ancient Denmi”, “Georgia under the cover of the Almighty” ; Iberian and Blachernae icons of the Mother of God, icons of the archangels Michael and Gabriel, Prophet David, Holy Kings Solomon II and Vakhtang Gorgasali, Holy Queen Tamara and others.

Construction begins : Holy Trinity National Cathedral, Tbilisi, 1995

In 1995, there began a very significant project in Tbilisi : the construction of a new patriarchal cathedral, the Sameba Lavra and National Holy Trinity Cathedral. This project was a revival of the initial activities towards it begun in 1989.

The Temple was constructed both from public donations and those of private patrons. Most of the contributions were from private sources. This cathedral was designed to include offices for the patriarchal headquarters, a monastery, and a theological academy on its surrounding territory. It became one of the largest Orthodox Temples in the world. It rises to a height of 68 metres, and there are 11 Altars. It is situated on Elias Hill in the Avlabari district of Tbilisi, on the left side of the Mtkvari River.

Holy Chrism

In 1995, the second time since 1979, Patriarch Ilia and other bishops sanctified Holy Chrism in the Patriarchal Cathedral of Svetitskhoveli in Mtskheta.

Withdrawal from the WCC, 1997

In May, 1997, a vocal group of Orthodox clerics accused Patriarch Ilia II of participating in the so-called “ecumenical heresy”, and they threatened schism. The patriarch convened the Holy Synod to discuss the matter, and he later announced that the Church of Georgia would withdraw from the WCC.

In 1997, the Crete Theological Academy elected Patriarch Ilia II as an honourary member. In 1997, Catholicos Patriarch Ilia II was elected to be a full member of the World Information Science Academy at the UNO.

The patriarch oversaw the publication of a linguistically updated, modern Georgian translation of the Bible, which was printed in the Gorbachev era. Until then, a much older version of the Georgian language had been used, but which was not well-comprehended by 20th-century people.

Orthodox Radio and Television Broadcasts

Since 1999, the radio station of the Patriarchate of Georgia "Iberia" has been broadcasting to all the major cities of the country. The broadcasting is provided also via satellite and the Internet. Somewhat similar to what has been done in Romania through "Trinitas" there, in 2007, the Patriarchate expanded beyond radio-broadcasting to telecasting on its own Iberia TV channel (since 2009, "Ertsulovneba" ("Unanimity")).

Visit to North America, 1998

In May, 1998, at the invitation of Metropolitan Theodosius (Lazor), Patriarch Ilia II visited the USA. At the beginning of Patriarch Ilia's visit to America, he met with the Supreme Catholicos of all Armenians Karekin I, who was making an archpastoral visit to the communities of the Armenian Church in the USA during the month of May. The 2 heads of Churches had already exchanged official visits between Georgia and Armenia. On 15 May, they were the guests of honour at a luncheon hosted by Metropolitan Theodosius.

During his visit to the USA, Patriarch Ilia met with Orthodox Church leaders and government officials in Washington, DC, at the USA State Department, the Library of Congress and the Georgian Embassy. He also met with the Committee on Human Rights at the State Department in Washington, and with the Secretary General of the United Nations. In New York, he joined the Dean of Saint Vladimir's Seminary, Protopresbyter Thomas Hopko and the entire faculty on 16 May for commencement exercises. He was also received by Archbishop Spyridon (Papageorge) at the headquarters of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese, and by the Rev'd Dr. Joan Brown Campbell, General Secretary of the National Council of Churches of Christ. Patriarch Ilia was and is well acquainted with the challenges of ecumenical relations, since he served in the past as president of the World Council of Churches.

On 17 May, at the invitation of Metropolitan Theodosius, Patriarch Ilia II presided at the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy at Saint Nicholas Cathedral in Washington, DC.

While he was in New York, he gave a speech at the Georgian Independence Day observances at the Harriman Institute of Columbia University on 19 May.

Accompanying Patriarch Ilia II on this official visit were Metropolitan Calistrate (Margalitashvili) of Kutaisi and Gaenati, Rector of the Gelati Theological Academy ; Archbishop Daniel (Datuashvili) of Tskhum-Abkhaseti, Chairman of the Department for Mission and Evangelisation ; Archpriest George Zviadadze, Deputy Rector of the Tbilisi Theological Academy ; Protodeacon David Davitashvili, and Mr. Ilia Vacheishvili, Interpreter.

On 23 May, 1998, Archbishop Herman (Swaiko) welcomed Patriarch Ilia II and his entourage to Saint Tikhon's Monastery and Seminary at South Canaan, Pennsylvania. Metropolitan Theodosius (Lazor) and the Holy Synod of Bishops of The Orthodox Church in America, which convened at Saint Tikhon's Monastery, had invited the Georgian Primate to participate in their discussions. Archbishop Herman took Patriarch Ilia into his home (in the diocesan centre) during the visit.

On 23 May, Patriarch Ilia II presided with Metropolitan Theodosius (Lazor) at the Commencement exercises of Saint Tikhon's Theological Seminary, at which time the patriarch was given an Honourary Doctor of Divinity degree.

Bestowing the Honourary Doctor of Divinity Degree

Other visits

Teheran, Iran, 2001

On 29 May, 2001, Patriarch Ilia was in Teheran, Iran, where there was a meeting with the head of the Organisation for Islamic Culture and Relations of Iran, Ayatollah Mohammad Ali Tashkiri. Patriarch Ilia noted that he highly appreciated the initiative of dialogue amongst civilisations, which was made by President Mohammad Khatami. In particular, the patriarch pointed out that

 the existence of the Orthodox Church is far from international politics, but the situation created 
 in the world naturally requires us to express our opinion in this direction. [...] Religious 
 leaders are also obliged to support the mechanisms for creating world security, which consists in 
 in the following directions : 1. Activation and expansion of the UN with new structures, where all 
 independent states, members of the UN, will have the right to vote ; 2. Recognition of the 
 territorial integrity and fixed borders that exist today ; 3. Real actions to achieve peaceful 
 co-existence amongst world states ; 4. Creation of international armed forces for world security.

International forum, Tbilisi, 2002

At the International Forum "Globalisation and Dialogue among Civilisations", held in 2002 in Tbilisi, Patriarch Ilia gave a speech devoted to the fate of small nations. The Catholicos-Patriarch noted that globalisation is inevitable, and that it is associated with scientific and technological progress. However, this should not lead to the absorption by large countries of the spiritual and national values ​​of small countries in order to create a single, but faceless culture.

Legal clarification of the status of the Patriarch and the Church of Georgia, 2002

On 14 October, 2002, in the Svetitskhoveli Cathedral in Mtskheta, the President of Georgia, Eduard A Shevardnadze and Patriarch Ilia II signed a “concordat”. Through this Constitutional Agreement (the second most important law of the country after the Constitution of Georgia), the regulation of the relationship between the Georgian State and the Georgian Orthodox Church was set out. The concordat granted certain privileges, one being that a Patriarch of Georgia was given legal immunity.

Patriarch Ilia II at the central dais

Renewal of chaplaincies

In 2002, with the blessing of Patriarch Ilia, the institution of regimental priests (chaplaincy) was restored in Georgia. This, in the opinion of the Catholicos-Patriarch, “will greatly contribute to the spiritual uplifting of military personnel”.

Visit to Georgia of Metropolitan Herman (Swaiko) of Washington, 2004

From 12-24 April, 2004, a high-level delegation accompanied Metropolitan Herman (Swaiko) of The Orthodox Church in America on his primatial visit to Patriarch Ilia II. The delegation visited many places throughout the country.

13 April, 2004, at the Gremi Monastery

On Sunday, 18 April, Patriarch Ilia II, Metropolitan Herman (Swaiko) and their companions travelled to the Mtskheta Cathedral for the Divine Liturgy of Thomas Sunday. This cathedral is also called “Svetitskhoveli”, which means “Living Pillar”. This term refers to the fact that here is the traditional place where the Robe of Christ (John 19:23) from the Crucifixion is entombed. This tomb dates from shortly after the Crucifixion of Christ. It is also known as the Cathedral of the Holy Apostles in Mtskheta (the ancient capital of Georgia). The Georgian bishops who served together with Patriarch Ilia II and the OCA bishops numbered 12. All venerated the Living Pillar and a 4th century Cross.

In February, 2003, Patriarch Ilia circulated in Tbilisi his statement which sharply condemned the situation in Iraq. “The time of cold peace”, he noted, “in the near future may become a serious threat to thousands and millions [...] of people”.

Controversy about anti-Islamic caricatures, 2007

In 2007, Patriarch Ilia criticised the fact that some Europeans placed in the press gross caricatures of Muhammad. He condemned them as an inappropriate insult to religious feelings of believers, even though they are not Christians.

Sanctification of Holy Trinity Cathedral, Tbilisi, November, 2004

Then, on 23 November, 2004, on Saint George's Day, the cathedral of the Holy Trinity in Tbilisi was sanctified by Catholicos Ilia II, the Patriarch of Georgia, together with high-ranking representatives of fraternal Orthodox Churches of the world : of the Churches of Constantinople, Alexandria, Antioch, Russia, Serbia, Romania, Cyprus, Greece, Poland, Albania, and The Orthodox Church in America. The service was also attended by leaders of other religious and confessional communities in Georgia, as well as by political leaders.

Patriarch Ilia called the Sameba (Holy Trinity) Cathedral "a self-portrait of the Georgian people".

Besides this project, there was so much construction of Temples and monasteries throughout the country during his primatial service, that Patriarch Ilia II may be favourably compared with Saint King David IV "the Builder" of the 12th century.

The Grace of the Holy Spirit is with him. A sort of confirmation of this can be found in the unexplained appearance of a white dove at the time of the sanctification of the new Holy Trinity Cathedral in Tbilisi. The white dove (a very rare bird in Georgia) appeared unexpectedly upon a seminarian’s shoulder at the entrance of the cathedral, just at the arrival of Patriarch Ilia. A perceptive local archbishop immediately took the dove to the Altar and placed it on the back of the patriarch’s large chair, which was just to the south of the Royal Doors, against the iconostas. It remained there peacefully for the whole service. Despite all sorts of photo-flashes and movements of people, the bird remained standing still in its place. When Patriarch Ilia came to the chair, the bird remained standing. When the patriarch sat, the bird nestled down. When the patriarch stood, the bird stood.

Patriarch Ilia II and the dove

The Grace of the Holy Spirit that is with Patriarch Ilia is further revealed in the nature of his own iconography. Many have stood near this man and have sensed the presence of the Holy Spirit. Thus, they have thus been encouraged to do what is necessary in Christ, and to be able to encourage their neighbour through the same experience of love.

Holy Trinity Cathedral, Tbilisi

International Charitable Foundation, 2005

On 8 February, 2005, on the Feast-day of Saint King David IV "the Builder", Patriarch Ilia established the "International Charitable Foundation of the Catholicos-Patriarch of Georgia", for the purpose of the "Revival and Development of Spirituality, Culture, and Science". Under him, in 2006, the International Georgian Centre was founded. The ceremony was accompanied by Church music and folk-songs. The purposes of the Foundation of the Catholicos-Patriarch include support for the implementation of preventive measures in the fight against drug addiction. This is one of the main directions of its activities.

Initiative to reverse the declining birth-rate in Georgia, 2007

In the latter part of 2007, being concerned with Georgia’s declining birth rate, Patriarch Ilia II offered that he would personally baptise any child born to a family that already had at least 2 children, as long as the new child would be born after his announcement. He then began to conduct services of mass baptisms 4 times a year.

According to a Church official, the patriarch’s initiative spurred a national baby boom, because being baptised by the patriarch is considered to be a great honour amongst the Faithful of the Georgian Orthodox Church. As a result, Patriarch Ilia II soon had more than 19,000 god-children. However, by May, 2017, the number had risen to 30,000 god-children.

Patriarch Ilia blessing children during the Divine Liturgy

Conversations with people

Patriarch Ilia II and Russia

In March, 2007, Patriarch Ilia visited Moscow and Holy Trinity-Saint Sergius Lavra. He took part in the presentation of the 13th volume of the Orthodox Encyclopaedia, which included a series of articles about Georgia and about the Georgian Orthodox Church.

He served the Divine Liturgy together with Patriarch Aleksey II (Ridiger) of Moscow and All Russia in the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour.

Patriarch Ilia II and Patriarch Aleksey II, Moscow, 2007

International visits to Islamic countries, 2007, 2008

In April, 2007, Patriarch Ilia was invited to Kuwait and to Bahrain, where he met with the state and religious leaders of these Islamic countries. This was the first instance in modern history when a Christian religious official leader, in an official capacity, had visited an Arabic Muslim country.

Christian-Muslim Peace Declaration

On 7 June, 2008, in Baku, Azerbaijan, the Head of the Caucasian Muslims' Office Sheikh-ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazade and Patriarch Ilia, “intending to continue joint work for the sake of building peace in the Caucasus”, signed a peace declaration. The document notes that the Caucasian Muslims' Office and the Georgian Orthodox Church

 have a unique experience of interreligious co-operation, which brings good results, and which can 
 serve as an instructive example. [...] The desire of peoples to live in a good neighbourhood, not 
 alienating themselves from each other, maintaining mutual understanding and mutual respect, is the 
 only way to guarantee a lasting and just peace, sanctified by the blessing of the Almighty.  

International Peace Forum, 2007

On the initiative of Patriarch Ilia, in October, 2007, Tbilisi hosted the International Peace Forum, which was attended by academics and scientists from Great Britain, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Russia, the USA, the Czech Republic, and representatives of Bulgaria, Armenia and Lithuania.

Within the framework of the forum, the 3rd International Symposium "Dialogue of Civilisations : Enlightenment and Education as an Opportunity for Co-operation between the Parties" was held. Its organisers were the International Research Centre for Christ (under the Georgian Patriarchate), and the Gelati Academy of Sciences. Topics of spiritual enlightenment and religions were touched upon : ethics, practical paedagogy, educational technologies, interference of cultures, dialogue of civilisations.

Russia-Georgia War, 2008

During the August, 2008, Russia-Georgian War, Patriarch Ilia II appealed to the Russian political leadership and to the Church. He expressed his concerns that “the Orthodox Russians were bombing Orthodox Georgians”, and he dismissed the Russian accusations of Georgia’s “genocide” in South Ossetia as a “pure lie”.

He also made a pastoral visit, bringing food and aid, to the Russian-occupied central Georgian city of Gori and the surrounding villages which were on the verge of a humanitarian catastrophe. He also helped to retrieve bodies of deceased Georgian soldiers and civilians. Patriarch Ilia II also blessed the 1 September, 2008, “Stop Russia” demonstrations, in which tens of thousands organised human chains across Georgia.

Visit to Moscow for the funeral of Patriarch Aleksey II (Ridiger), 2008

On 9 December, 2008, Patriarch Ilia II was in Moscow, in order to participate in the funeral services for Russia’s newly-reposed Patriarch Aleksey II (Ridiger). Patriarch Ilia and his entourage were the first to arrive for the funeral. Upon arrival, they proceeded to the coffin of Patriarch Aleksey, where they prayed a memorial service for him. Afterwards, when all the other guests had arrived, Patriarch Ilia II stood amongst the other Heads of Local Churches (with Patriarch Bartholomew (Archontonis)) as he took an active part in the Funeral Service for the newly-reposed patriarch.

Patriarch Ilia II at the coffin of Patriarch Aleksey II

Later on 9 December, 2008, Patriarch Ilia met Russia’s President Dmitry Medvedev. This was the first high-level official contact between the 2 countries since the August war. Later, Patriarch Ilia announced that he had some “positive agreements” with Mr. Medvedev, which needed “careful and diplomatic” follow-up by the politicians.

On 24-27 December, 2008, a return visit was made to Georgia. In conjunction with the 31st anniversary of the enthronement of Patriarch Ilia II, Metropolitan Valentin (Mishchuk) of Orenburg and Buzuluk arrived along with Mr. M E Shvydkoy. Mr. Shvydkoy was the Special Representative for International Cultural Co-operation of the President of the Russian Federation, Mr. V V Putin.

Support of publications

As previously mentioned, Patriarch Ilia II blessed the publication of the Bible in the modern Georgian language. Also published were various theological collections, brochures, books, magazines, 3 types of calendars, and newspapers. The Georgian patriarchate also founded :

 an architectural centre, a department of folklore handicrafts, a department of missions and evangelisation, a 
 publishing centre, a centre for researching and protecting Holy Relics, a department for relationships with the 
 armed forces, a department of foreign and financial-economic affairs, an info-service, youth-centre ‘DZLEVAI’, 
 a humanitarian service, a pilgrimage department, and more. 

State of the Church of Georgia, 2009 to the present

In 2009, through the efforts of Patriarch Ilia, under his blessing, the composition of the higher clergy of the GOC increased to 39 bishops ; there were also 39 dioceses within the jurisdiction of the Church of Georgia. Of these, 5 of the dioceses established under the patriarch had been restored in the historical territories of Georgia (Lazeti, Tao-Klarjeti, Hereti, Tashiri), which now belong to Armenia, Azerbaijan and Turkey. These 5 extra-territorial dioceses are : the Akhaltsikhe-Tao-Klardzhetskaya, Batumo-Lazskaya, Dmanissko-Agarak-Tashirskaya, Dedoplistskarosko-Nekresskaya and Eretsky dioceses. More than 1,500 Temples and 170 monasteries were opened, which were served by 3,200 clerics.

Outside Georgia, there steadily developed a pastoral provision for the multitude of Georgians who had been emigrating since the fall of Communism.

Diocese of Western Europe

On 17 October, 2002, the Diocese of Western Europe was established for parishes that had been established there. At that time, Metropolitan Abraham (Garmelia) was assigned as the first Bishop of the new Georgian Apostolic Diocese of Western Europe. The diocese has a centre in Villeneuve-Saint-Georges Paris, France, where Metropolitan Abraham is resident.

This diocese has subdivisions in Germany and in Austria, as well as in Belgium and the Netherlands.

Diocese of North America

In 2009, Metropolitan Dimitri (Shiolashvili) of Batumi was assigned to work also as Administrator of the Georgian Apostolic Parishes in North America. He was assigned to begin organising the parishes into a basic diocesan structure.

On 22 June, 2014, Archimandrite Saba (Intskirveli) was ordained to the Holy Episcopate in Georgia, and he was assigned to serve as the first Bishop of the new Georgian Apostolic Diocese of North America. The pastoral responsibility of Bishop Saba (Intskirveli) includes the Georgian parishes in both the USA and Canada. The diocesan centre is in Ashley, Pennsylvania.

The Georgian Orthodox Church is present amongst her emigrants in Australia and in South America, where organisation of Church life progresses steadily.

Glorification of saints

On the initiative of Patriarch Ilia, during the years of his primacy, many persons were glorified. These included saints who became famous both in antiquity and in the 19th-20th centuries.

Amongst these saints were :

Holy and Righteous Ilia Chavchavadze (glorified 20 July, 1987) ; Catholicos-Patriarch of Georgia Hieromartyr Ambrose (Helay) ; Metropolitan Hieromartyr Nazarius (Lezhava) and those who suffered with him : Bishop Gabriel (Kikodze) and Bishop Alexander (Okropiridze) ; Hieromartyr Gregory (Peradze), Saint Alexy (Shushaniya), Hieromartyr Theodore Kvelteli (18-19 September, 1995) ; the parents of Saint Nino (Equal-to-the-Apostles), Venerable Zebulun and Sosanna (13 December, 1996) ; Martyr Tsotne Dadiani (26 October, 1999) ; Hieromartyr Kirion III (Sadzaglishvili) ; Saint Zosim Kumurdoisky ; Hieromartyrs Theodore Achareli and Gruzin (Kanchaveli) ; Priests and Wives of Tao-Klarjeti ; Righteous Tbeli Abuserdidze and Evfimy Takaishvili (18 October, 2002) ; Martyrs Evfimy (Kereselidze), John (Maisuradze), and George (Mkheidze) of Betania (18 August, 2003) ; Saint Georgi Chkondideli ; Metropolitan Hieromartyrs Dositheus (Tsereteli) and Evfimy (Shervashidze) ; Hieromartyr Dimitri Kipiani ; King of Imereti Saint Solomon II (27 June, 2005) ; Martyr King Vakhtang III (23 December, 2005), and others.

Glorification of Holy Elder Gabriel (Urgebadze), 2012

In 2012, the Holy Synod of Bishops of the Georgian Orthodox Church glorified the Wonder-working Confessor and Elder Gabriel (Urgebadze), Fool-for-Christ. Saint Gabriel had spent much of his monastic life at the Samtavro Monastery of Saint Nino.

Visit to Georgia of Metropolitan Tikhon (Mollard) of Washington, 2015

On Sunday, 26 April, 2015, Metropolitan Tikhon (Mollard), of The Orthodox Church in America made an official visit to the Church of Georgia. He concelebrated the Divine Liturgy with Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia II of All Georgia at the Cathedral of the All-Holy Trinity in Tbilisi.

Visit of Metropolitan Tikhon of Washington

In the centre of a cathedral Temple, there is often a permanent structure (although it may be removable) which is referred to as the "cathedra". This dais (in the midst of the congregation in the nave of the Temple) is where the bishop stands and sits during the first part of the celebration of the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy. The name, which reflects the word "cathedral", gives expression to the fact that this place is the official seat or see of the bishop. There is a similar seat in the High Place behind the Holy Table in the Altar. In Georgia, there is a permanently-placed and appropriately designed chair which remains even when the bishop is not serving or when he is absent.

Non-participation in the 2016 Synod on Crete

On 10 June, 2016, the Holy Synod of Bishops of the Orthodox Church of Georgia decided (on the basis of many factors) not to participate in the Great and Holy Synod of Bishops which was convened by Patriarch Bartholomew I in Crete on 19-26 June, 2016.

In addition to the absence of the Church of Georgia, the Church of Antioch, the Church of Russia, and the Church of Bulgaria did not attend. The Orthodox Church in America (accepted as being autocephalous only by some of the Churches) was not invited by the Church of Constantinople to this assembly.

40th Anniversary of patriarchal service, 2017

On 25 December, 2017, the Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia Ilia II marked the 40th anniversary of his enthronement as patriarch. Of all the previous patriarchs, only the Catholicos-Patriarch of Abkhazia Grigol (Lortkipanidze) led the Church for 46 years.

The Prayer-service (Moleben) of Thanksgiving was celebrated on 24 December at Holy Trinity Cathedral. On 25 December, the solemn Primatial Divine Liturgy was served at the Svetitskhoveli Patriarchal Cathedral in Mtskheta. President Giorgi Margvelashvili, Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili, representatives of government and parliament attended the services, together with the parish. Representatives of the Patriarchate of the Russian Church also attended.

On this occasion, HRM Elizabeth II, Queen of Great Britain and Northern Ireland ; Pope Francis ; the Patriarch of Constantinople, Bartholomew (Archontonis) ; Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, Kirill (Gundyaev), and others sent greetings to the Catholicos-Patriarch of Georgia.

Patriarch Ilia II addressed the congregation with the following words :

 For me, of course, these are blessings.  I am grateful to God for all.  I say that these 40 years have 
 been very difficult years, but thanks to God's blessing and mercy, we are going to take these years and
 make them 40 years of joy.  I would not have been able to do it, to fulfil the work without your help 
 for me and your love.  Your love is strengthening.  I am grateful to all the people who pray for me and 
 it is very dear to me.  Be blessed, be happy.  Once again, thank you all for your love.  I remember one 
 case, when I was in Germany, and students came to me.  One student told me, 'our Holiness, I love you as 
 I love Georgia'.  Thank you, for God has given us peace.  We have had trials, and maybe we will 
 experience another trial, but everything will be fine.  Everything will be calm ; our nation will 
 rejoice and be happy.  God is with us.  

Patriarch Ilia II continued to serve the Lord as he led the Flock of Christ in Georgia with paternal love. All along, he continued to be known as the most trusted leader (yet more than the political leaders) in Georgia.

During his later years, he had begun to suffer from Parkinson's Disease, which was evident during the 2016 visit to Georgia of Pope Francis of Rome. Regardless, he persevered with love in his service in Christ.

In the course of his service, he had asked the bishops and clergy to provide housing and care for homeless children and youth. He supported David Kakabadze, (sculptor and enamel artist) in reviving the dying Georgian art of cloisonné enamel, and then to teach the art form to a monastic community of women, who then taught it to others. He also sponsored a new school for chanting in the Georgian manner, and of folk music at the Tbilisi Conservatory of Music.

Early on 17 March, 2026, Patriarch Ilia's health began a rapid decline, and his immediate admission to the Caucasus Medical Centre which was found to have been caused by a severe gastric haemorrhage.

Repose

— Bishop of Batumi and Shemokmedi 1963-1967. Preceded by : Bishop Ephrem (Sidamonidze). Succeeded by : Bishop Roman (Petriashvili).

— Patriarchal Vicar-Bishop 1963-1967.

— Bishop of Sukhumi (Tskhumi) and Abkhazia (Abkhazeti) 1967-1969. Preceded by : Metropolitan Romanos (Petriashvili).

— Metropolitan of Sukhumi and Abkhazia 1969-1977. Succeeded by : Archbishop Nikoloz (Makharadze).

— Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia 1977-____. Preceded by : Patriarch David V (Devdariani). Succeeded by : ___.

Reflections

Patriarch Ilia’s decades-long service left a profound impact on both the Church and Georgian society. He was widely regarded as a spiritual father and moral authority who guided the Georgian Orthodox Church through difficult historical periods, restoring its vitality, and strengthening its role in the life of the nation.

The repose of Patriarch Ilia marks the departure to the Heavenly Kingdom of one of the most revered Orthodox hierarchs of the modern era. This has been widely described as the end of a spiritual epoch for Georgia, and for Orthodox Christianity more broadly.

Metropolitan Tikhon of the Orthodox Church in America sent a message of condolence to the Church of Georgia, in which he cited Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia’s life “as a profound witness to faithfulness, perseverance and pastoral love. For decades, he guided the Georgian Church through times of great trial and renewal, preserving her unity, strengthening her witness, and nurturing the spiritual life of her faithful. His ministry bore enduring fruit not only within Georgia, but throughout the Orthodox world, where he was widely recognized as a father among hierarchs and a steadfast confessor of the Orthodox Faith".

Views on ethical concerns :

Because of the historical vulnerability of Georgia to invasion by foreign powers, religions and mentalities, Georgia has consistently attempted to protect some sort of Georgian self-identity. Such a self-identity has always been inclusive of several cultures as a result of historical circumstances. Pressure exerted previously by Persia produced a multitude of martyrs. Pressure exerted by Armenia caused many disturbances. Islamic pressure from Turkey has always been a threat.

The supposed rescue of Georgia by the Russian Empire in the 19th century resulted in a suppression of Georgian language and culture. It also reduced the autocephaly of the Georgian Orthodox Church to an exarchate of the Russian Orthodox Church. This pressure was amplified by the empire’s successor, the Soviet Union. In recent times, when Georgia has again tried to recover her self-identity, there has been a major political, economic and societal invasion from various western countries. These concerns are part of the environment which has caused the patriarch to speak out in defence of his people. Indeed, the Patriarch of Georgia (and especially this patriarch) is, as it were, the spiritual father of the country, and the guardian of her culture.

In 2013, Patriarch Ilia II described homosexuality as a disease and compared it to drug addiction. He urged the Georgian authorities to stop a gay rights rally planned for Tbilisi on 17 May, 2013, to mark “International Day Against Homophobia”. He stated that the rally was a “violation of the majority’s rights” and “an insult” to the Georgian nation. Following his comments, thousands of Georgians, led by Georgian Orthodox priests, took to the streets of Tbilisi to protest the gay rights rally. Due to escalating violence against the rally’s participants, the rally had to be abandoned and the activists driven by the police in a bus to safety.

In his sermons, Patriarch Ilia II has condemned homosexuality and abortion, and he demanded that television be censored to remove sexual content. He has denounced school textbooks for “insufficient patriotism” ; he has lectured against what he calls “extreme liberalism” ; and he has warned against “pseudo-culture” from abroad. He has opposed attempts to give other confessions equal status under Georgian law ; and he has condemned as “unpatriotic” international educational exchanges and working abroad.

Robert English, an American writer, commenting as a westerner, described Patriarch Ilia II as a person “given to incendiary rhetoric”. The patriarch claimed that the 1990 flood that devastated Georgia’s Adjaria region was God’s punishment for the medieval population of Adjaria’s conversion to Islam.

Views on constitutional monarchy :

Patriarch Ilia II has a reputation of being a proponent of constitutional monarchy as a form of government for Georgia. In a sermon on 7 October, 2007, he called for the consideration of establishing a constitutional monarchy under the Bagrationi dynasty. It was this family that the Russian Empire had dispossessed of the Georgian crown early in the 19th century. The call coincided with rising confrontation between the government of President Mikheil Saakashvili and the opposition, many members of which welcomed the patriarch’s proposal. The general stability which can accompany a constitutional monarchy might benefit the country which, throughout its history, had always had a monarch.

Approval ratings :

Patriarch Ilia II was called “the most trusted man in Georgia” by “Cable News Network” (CNN) in 2010 ; and he had the highest "favourability" rating amongst Georgian politicians (94%), according to a November, 2013, National Democratic Institute for International Affairs poll.

As is usually the case with patriarchs and other heads of local Churches, there is criticism (often politicised) of their behaviours and decisions by those within the Church who disagree with them about one or another matter, and by those outside the Church who have a different perception of the world and of situations. An assessment of such a person cannot be limited to one or even several matters. Rather, it must consider the whole of the person's life and service. For an Orthodox Christian, a main criterion in discernment (or “litmus test”) is the Dominical saying, “By their fruits you will know them” :

‘Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.  You 
 will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles?  Even so, every 
 good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.  A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad 
 tree bear good fruit.  Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.  
 Therefore by their fruits you will know them’ (Matthew 7:15-20).  

Awards :

• Order of the Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Nino, 1972

• The right to wear 2 panagias, 1972.

• The right to have the diamond Cross on the klobuk, 1975.

• Order of the Holy Victory-bearer George, 1977

• Order of the Holy John, 1st degree, 1977

• Honourary Doctorate of Divinity from Saint Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary in New York, 1986.

• Honourary Doctorate of Theology from the Academy of Sciences in Crete, 1997.

• Order of David the Builder, 1997

• Honourary Doctorate of Theology from Saint Tikhon's Orthodox Theological Seminary, 1998.

• Order of the Holy Cross (Jerusalem), 2000

• Order of Saint George of the Church of Georgia, 1st degree, 2001

• Honourary Doctorate and Professor degree from the Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University and the Sulkhan-Saba Orbeliani State Pedagogical University of Tbilisi, 2002

• Honourary Academician of the Georgian Academy of Sciences, and Honourary Fellow of the American School of Genealogy, Heraldry and Documentary Sciences, 2003

• Order of the Robe of the Lord, 2007

• David Guramishvili Prize, 2008

• Presidential Order of Excellence, 2010

• Shota Rustaveli State Prize and Gold Medal, 2010

• Sheikh Islam Order for the Contribution made between Religions and Nations, 2013

• Order of Special Merit for the Fund of Unity of Orthodox Peoples in the Strengthening of Brotherly Relations between Orthodox Peoples and Churches, 2013

• Honourary Doctorate Degree from the Academic Council of Batumi, Shota Rustaveli State University, 2013

• Highest Order of Justice, 2013

• Grand Collar of the Order of the Eagle of Georgia from Prince David Bagration of Mukhrani.

• As patriarch, he has received the highest Church awards from the Patriarchs of the Orthodox Churches of Antioch, Jerusalem, Alexandria, Russia, Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, and almost all other Orthodox Churches.

Writings

The following are selected from the multitude of Patriarch Ilia's writings. The writings are in the Georgian language. However, the writings that follow are linked to a machine-made translation to English. Many of the writings may be found in the following 3-volume publication of 2008 :

• “Epistles, Sermons, Speeches”, 3 vols. (Tbilisi : Georgian Patriarchate, 2008)

Prayers written by Patriarch Ilia

• “Prayer written on Mount Sinai by His Holiness and Beatitude”

• “The modest request of the Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia Ilia II to the mighty wonder-worker, the oppressor of evil, the Great Martyr, Saint Natel (Saint (George)”

• “The humble Request of the Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia Ilia II to the great Teacher, miracle-worker and aspiring Benefactor, Archbishop of Myra-Lycia, Saint Nicholas”

• “Confession of all Georgia today with Regret”

• “Songs of Praise to the Holy Trinity”

• “Prayer to the Holy Mother of God”

• “Prayer For the Peace and Well-being of the Motherland”.

• Patriarch Ilia attached particular importance to the daily 7-fold prayer rule that he developed for the entire flock of the Church of Georgia. He often commented that this is the most important thing he has done.

 Prayers of the rule are read by the hour : at 6.00 a.m. (Initial prayers, Psalm 22, “Save, O Lord, 
 Your people”) ; at 9:00 a.m. (“Our Father”, Psalm 50, “Virgin Mother of God”) ; at 12:00 noon (“Our 
 Father”, Psalm 90, “Mercy of the door”) ; at 3:00 p.m. (“Our Father”, Psalm 142, Tropar to Saint 
 Nina) ; at 6:00 p.m. (“Our Father”, Psalm 69, Tropar to Great Martyr George) ; at 9:00 p.m. (“Our 
 Father”, Psalm 127, Tropar to Saint Nicholas) and at 12.00 midnight (“Our Father”, Psalm 133, 
 prayer for the departed, “Behold, the Bridegroom is coming at midnight”).

Other works by Patriarch Ilia

• Patriarch Ilia created many musical compositions which have been recorded. In 2007, the disc "Glory to God in the Highest" was recorded, which included the music created by Patriarch Ilia : compositions of Church works : the Trisagion, “Eis Polla Eti Despota”, “Our Father”, Litanies at ordination, “Grace of the world”, “Open the doors of repentance to me”, “Holy is the Lord our God”, Funeral Litany, “Come to me, Lord", the Hymn of Saint Nina "Rejoice, beautiful", and a song on the verses of the poet Vazha Pshavela "Erekle before the battle". Chants to the music of Patriarch Ilia are often performed at Church and folk holidays.

• In 2007, a book was published in Tbilisi. It included reproductions of icons painted by Patriarch Ilia : “Holy Trinity” ; “God is with us” ; “Ancient Denmi”, “Georgia under the cover of the Almighty” ; Iberian and Blachernae icons of the Mother of God ; icons of the archangels Michael and Gabriel ; Prophet David ; Holy Kings Solomon II and Vakhtang Gorgasali ; Holy Queen Tamara and others. Icons of the work of the Catholicos-Patriarch can be seen in Sameba, in Tbilisi Sioni, in the Manglisi Monastery, in the Cathedral of Holy King Vakhtang Gorgasali in Rustavi, in the Georgian Patriarchate.

In the Monastery of the Virgin Mary in Didube (Tbilisi), there is a fresco depicting Holy Queen Tamara, which was painted by Patriarch Ilia II  ; in collaboration with him, the iconography of the Saviour was developed for painting in the dome of Sameba. The Catholicos-Patriarch also owns picturesque and sculptural portraits of famous Georgian laymen.

Speeches [early speeches]

• Word at the Enthronement, at the Feast (25 December, 1977)

• Word spoken in Svetitskhoveli, on the Day of Enthronement (25 December, 1977)

• Speech, delivered at Westminster Abbey (1 June, 1995)

Speeches 2001

• Address to the Parliament of Georgia (2001)

• Speech at the Signing of the Agreement between the Ministry of Justice of Georgia and the Georgian Orthodox Church (20 April, 2001)

• Speech at the Final Meeting of the School Competition (Georgian Patriarchate, 25 May, 2001)

• Speech to His Beatitude Chrysostom, Head of the Orthodox Church of Cyprus (9 June, 2001)

• Speech at a Funeral Home for Orthodox Christians in New York and Washington (Zion Cathedral, 14 September, 2001)

• Speech at the Conference "The Role of the Bagrationi Dynasty in the Past and Present of Georgia" (Georgian Patriarchate, 28 September, 2001)

Speeches 2004

• Speech on the Birthday of St Ilia the Righteous (Saguramo, 2 August, 2004)

• Letter to the President of Georgia (15 September, 2004)

• Welcome Speech at the Meeting with the Representatives of the Intelligentsia (Patriarchal Residence, 27 October, 2004)

• Speech delivered at Holy Trinity Cathedral (23 November, 2004)

• “Congratulations of the Primate of the Georgian Orthodox Church to His Holiness Patriarch Kirill on the 10th Anniversary of the Enthronement”, 31 January, 2019.

Speeches 2005

• "We need Work, we need Thinking, we need new Ideas and the Future will be bright for us !" : New Year Television Congratulations (1 January, 2005)

• Speech at the Meeting dedicated to the Problems of Drug Addiction (Patriarchal Residence, 8 March, 2005)

• Word at the Presentation of the Project : "Remember Georgia" (Georgian Patriarchate, 10 March, 2005)

• Speech at the National Academy of Sciences (15 April, 2005)

• Speech at the International Conference "Science and Religion" (Georgian Technical University, 23 May, 2005)

• Speech at the International Conference on Peace and Tolerance (7-9 November, 2005, Istanbul) p

Speeches 2006

• Appeal to Prisoners (4 January, 2006)

• Speech at the Academic Conference dedicated to the Day of Restoration of the Georgian Church (Patriarchate Residence, 24 March, 2006)

• Speech at a Meeting with Students of the Tsageri Orthodox Gymnasium (Patriarchate Residence, 15 May, 2006)

• Speech at the International Summit of Representatives of different Religions (Moscow, 3 July, 2006)

• Welcoming Speech to the Participants of the International Festival "Chveneburebi" (Georgian [Patriarchate, 2 October, 2006)

Speeches 2007

• Television Congratulations "God's mercy will be upon us if we are close to God !" (1 January, 2007)

• Speech at the Banquet (Moscow, Christ the Saviour Cathedral Hall, 4 March, 2007)

• Word at the Opening of the Patriarchate Television (Television Speech, 22 March, 2007)

• Speech at the Meeting with Psychologists (Patriarchal Residence, 22 May, 2007)

• New Year Congratulations "We look forward to the unification of Georgia !" (TV appearance, 31 December, 2007)

Speeches 2008

• "I rule out a military Conflict between Georgia and Russia”. (RIA Novosti's questions are answered by the Patriarch of Georgia, His Holiness and Beatitude Ilia II)

• Welcoming Remarks to the Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa, His Beatitude Theodore II "Let there be brotherhood and friendship between our two churches and the Patriarchate for centuries". (Patriarchal Residence)

• Full Version of the Interview given to the French magazine “Lacroix” (14 September, 2008)

• Speech at the International Peace Symposium ("I loved the trial because the trial brought me closer to God".) (Hotel Metekhi-Sheraton Palace, 9 October 2008)

• Speech at the Opening of the Georgian Ecclesiastical University ("The Georgian people have always tried to acquire knowledge, have always studied science and in their minds there has never been a contradiction between knowledge and faith".) (12 October, 2008)

• Sunday Sermon, Holy Trinity Patriarchal Cathedral (28 December, 2008)

Speeches 2009

• An Open Address to the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Mr. Ban Ki-moon "The recognition of the independence of South Ossetia (Samachablo) is inadvertently becoming a much worse event than the autonomies forcibly and illegally created by the communist regime". (12 June, 2009)

• Speech at the Opening of the Sanctuary "From now on many believers will be baptised by immersion". (21 June, 2009)

• Remarks at the Official Reception of the Head of the American Orthodox Church, His Beatitude Jonah "We attach great importance to your visit, especially since Georgia is in a very difficult situation today". (Patriarchal Residence, 12 October, 2009)

• Remarks in Baku on the 60th Anniversary of the Birth and 30th Anniversary of His Excellency Sheikh Shukur Pasha-Zadeh, Supreme Leader of the All-Caucasian Muslims in the Caucasus "We are united by friendship and love". (6 November, 2009)

Speeches 2010

• Letter to the Head of the Russian Church, His Holiness Kirill, with regard to the Appeal of 19 September

• Address to the Participants of the World Summit of Religious Leaders in Baku

Sermons/Homilies

• Love of God and Love of Man (1978)

• Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us (1978)

• The Purpose of human Life (1982)

• Excellent and Favourite (1982)

• To make the Family strong (1983)

• Joy is experienced only through Love (1983)

• About the Interdependence of Truth and Freedom (1985)

• The Restoration of the Autocephaly of the Georgian Church (1985)

• Feast of the Cross (1986)

• Caring for inactive Churches is the greatest Sacrifice to God Today (1986)

• The Relationship between the Nation and the Church (1987)

• Faith and Love (1987)

• Sermon on Forgiveness Sunday (1988)

• Each of us must ask ourselves what we do for our Faith and our Country (1988)

• Rider of Christ (1989) (“King David the Builder”)

• Sermon on the Burial of King Soloman II of Imereti in Zion (1990)

• Evil can be cured only through Love and Kindness (1991)

• May God reject the Ignorance of the Nations (1991)

• The only way to survive : “The Sense of Sins” (Parable of the Prodigal Son) (1992)

• Kindness is never lost (1992)

• The Prayer of the Saints has the greatest Power (1993)

• We do not see the Lord, but He is with us (1993)

• The Enemy even knelt before him (1995)

• Forgiveness Sunday (25 February, 1996)

• We must confront Fanaticism with Faith and Love (1997)

• Sermon on Holy Thursday (2001)

• Sermon on the Feast of the Birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary (2001)

• Sermon on the Feast of the 100,000 Martyrs (2003)

• Sermon of Remembrance of Saint Andrew the First-called and Holy King Vakhtang the Great (2003)

• Sermon on Saint George’s Day (2004)

• Sermon on the Feast of Saint Barbara (2004)

• Sermon on the Feast of Epiphany (2005)

• Sermon on Lazarus Saturday (2005)

• Sermon on New Year’s Eve (2006)

• Sermon on the Feast of the Annunciation (2006)

• Sermon on the Feast of the Transfiguration (2006)

• Sermon on the Feast of the Crucifixion (2007)

• Sermon on the Essence of God and Love (Feast of the Holy Trinity) (2007)

• Sermon on the Feast of Saint Nino (2008)

• Sermon on the Commemoration of Saint David, the Builder (2008)

• Sermon on the Restoration of the Autocephaly of the Georgian Apostolic Church (2008)

• Sermon on the Peace Prayer and Georgia’s Independence Day (2009)

• Sermon on the Feast of the Ascension (2009)

• Sermon on the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul (2009)

• Sermon on the Feast of the Cross (2009)

• Sermon on Humility (2010)

• Sermon on the Sunday of the Blind Man (2010)

• Sermon on the Feast of Saint Nicholas (2010)

• Sermon on Sunday, 26 December, 2010

Epistles

• Nativity Epistle (2015)

• Nativity Epistle (2021)

• Nativity Epistle (2022)

• New Year Epistle (1978)

• New Year Epistle (1987)

• New Year Epistle (1988)

• Paschal Epistle (On the 40th Anniversary of the Victory in World War II) (1985)

• Paschal Epistle (2017)

• Paschal Epistle (2018)

• Paschal Epistle (2021)

Writings about the patriarch by authors in various sources

• “Catholicos Patriarchs of Georgia”, ed. Roin Metreveli (Tbilisi : Neker Publishing, 2000)

• “Georgian Soviet Encyclopedia”, vol. 5, (Tbilisi, 1980), p. 106.

• Guruli, Vakhtang, "Abolish Autocephaly of the Orthodox Church of Georgia" (Tbilisi : Universal Publishing, 2010).

• "History to memorise" (Tbilisi : Georgian University Publishing, 2015).

• “The Servant of God : the Life of Ilia II, Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia” [Патриарх Грузии - Книга "Раб Божий"] (Moscow : Saint Tikhon Orthodox Humanities University, 2015).

• “Shepherd of Georgia” (Tbilisi : Artanuji Publishing, 2012).

• Shiolashvili, Neli, “Our Patriarch” (Tbilisi, 2011).

• Vardosanidze, Sergo, “Anniversary Chronicle of the Georgian Orthodox Apostolic Church (1917-2017)” (Tbilisi, 2017).

• ......, “Sunny Night 38 Years” (Tbilisi, 2015).

• ‘On the Enthronement of the new Primate of the Church of Georgia’ in “Journal of the Moscow Patriarchate” (JMP), no. 4 (1978), pp. 46-51.

• Nikitin, V, ‘From the Life of the Georgian Orthodox Church’ in “JMP”, no. 12 (1980), pp. 63-64.

• ‘Visit of the Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia Ilia II’ in “JMP”, no.12 (1996), pp. 29-34.

• ‘Celebration of the 25th Anniversary of the First Hierarchal Service of the Primate of the Georgian Orthodox Church’ in “JMP”, no. 1 (2003), pp. 94-95.

• Dularidze, L, ‘A Quarter of a Century of patriarchal Service : 25 Years since the Enthronement of His Holiness and Beatitude Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia Ilia II’ in “JMP”, pp. 92-94.

• Shikhashvili, G, ‘Catholicos-Patriarch of Georgia Ilia II on topical Issues of socio-economic Development’ in “Logos”, no. 3 (Tbilisi, 2004), pp. 82-84 (in Georgian).

• Katsadze, M, Zviadadze, Prot. G, eds. et al, “Patriarch Elijah II” (Tbilisi, 2005) (in Georgian, English).

• Metreveli, R, Gioshvili, N, Inasaradze, M, eds., ‘Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia II on the Occasion of his 75th Birthday and the 30th Anniversary of his Enthronement’ in “Gruz. National AN” (Tbilisi, 2007) (in Georgian).

• Erkomaishvili, A, ‘A wonderful Musician’ in “Gruz. National AN”, pp. 31-33.

• Nadirashvili, Sh., ‘His Holiness and Beatitude Patriarch Ilia : the Patron of the Spirituality of the Georgian people’ in “Gruz. National AN”, pp. 79-83.

• Zviadadze, Prot. G, ed., “Album : God is with us” (Tbilisi, 2007) (in Georgian).

• Kurdiani, M, Chavchavadze, N, Togonidze, L, eds. and others, “Sunny Night : The Life and Ministry of the Catholicos-Patriarch of Georgia Ilia II” (Tbilisi, 2008) (in Georgian, English).

• Vardosanidze, S, “The Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, His Holiness and Beatitude Ilia II” (Tbilisi, 2008) (in Georgian)

References

Wyrwoll, Nikolaus ed., “Orthodoxia 2014-2015" (Regensburg : Ostkirchliches Institut, 2015). ISBN 978-7245-1959-1.

Orthodoxwiki biography

Wikipedia biography

Patriarchate of Georgia web-site (in Georgian)

Official biography

Georgian Wikipedia biography

Orthodox Encyclopaedia biography

Drevo Encyclopaedia biography

“Moscow Patriarchate web-site biography

Additional information :

Grdzelidze, Tamara, “Witness through troubled Times : a History of the Orthodox Church of Georgia, 1811 to the Present” (London, UK : Bennett & Bloom, 2006), p. 245. ISBN : 1898948682.

Jones, Stephen, “Georgia : A Political History Since Independence” (London, UK : I B Tauris, 2015), pp. 227-228. ISBN : 1784530859.

Kishkovsky, Sophia, ‘War splits Orthodox churches in Russia and Georgia’ in the “New York Times” (5 September, 2008).

Ramet, Sabrina P, ‘Orthodox Churches and the “idyllic Past”’ in “Religion in an Expanding Europe”, eds. Timothy A Byrnes, Peter J Katzenstein (Cambridge, UK : Cambridge University Press, 2006). ISBN : 1139450948.

Rapp, Stephen H, Jr., ‘Georgian Christianity’ in “The Blackwell Companion to Eastern Christianity”, Parry, Ken, ed. (Hoboken, NJ : John Wiley & Sons, 2007), pp. 137-155. ISBN : 978-1-4443-3361-9.

Von Lilienfeld, Fairy, “Reflections on the Current State of the Georgian Church and Nation” (DeKalb, IL : Northern Illinois University Press, 1993)

Wikipedia article about the Georgian Orthodox Church

Orthodoxwiki article about the Church of Georgia

History of Georgia

Orthodox Encyclopaedia article about Georgia

Wikipedia article about the Diocese of Batumi and Lazeti

Wikipedia article about the Diocese of Bichvinta and Tskhum-Abkhazia

“Patriarch Ilia II turns 86”

‘Georgian Church Calls for Constitutional Monarchy’ in “Civil Georgia” (7 October, 2007).

‘Politicians Comment on Constitutional Monarchy Proposal’ in “Civil Georgia” (8 October, 2007).

‘Church Intervenes to Bring Soldiers’ Bodies Back’ in “The Financial” (16 October, 2008).

‘Georgians in Mass “Live Chain” Say “Stop Russia”’ in “Civil Georgia” (1 September, 2008).

‘Head of Georgian Church Meets Medvedev’ in “Civil Georgia” (1 September, 2008).

‘Head of Georgian Church Again Speaks of “Positive Agreements” with Medvedev’ in “Civil Georgia” (16 December, 2008).

BBC News : Esselmont, Tom, “Church leader sparks Georgian baby boom” (26 March, 2009).

Politicians’ Ratings in NDI-Commissioned Poll in “Civil Georgia” (13 April, 2016).

CNN article by Ivan Watson, “Patriarch Ilia II : ‘Most trusted man in Georgia’” (26 April, 2010).

Управление Цхум-Абхазской епархией передано Католикосу-Патриарху всея Грузии Илие II (English : The Management of the Tskhum-Abkhaz diocese was transferred to the Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia Ilia II) News video (in Russian)

Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor, “International Religious Freedom Report for 2015, Georgia”.

OCA to welcome Orthodox Patriarch Ilia II (20 May, 1998)

The Visit of the Catholicos-Patriarch of Georgia, Ilia II to the USA (14-26 May, 1998)

Patriarch Ilia II meets with First Lady Hilary Clinton (22 May, 1998)

“Metropolitan Tikhon (Mollard) concelebrates Liturgy with Georgian Patriarch in Tbilisi Cathedral” (26 April, 2015)

Catholicos Patriarch of Georgia turns 83

Celebration of the 89th Birthday of the Catholicos-Patriarch of All-Georgia (4 January, 2022)

Article about Holy Transfiguration Cathedral at Samtavro Monastery, Mtskheta

Orthodoxwiki article about Saint Nino

Pravoslavie.ru article about Saint Nino

Wikipedia article about the Christianisation of Iberia

Wikipedia article about Christianity in Georgia

Calendar of Georgian Saints

Georgian Patriarchate News web-site

'Patriarch Ilia of Georgia baptises another 1,173 Children' in "Journey to Orthodoxy"

Georgian Wikipedia article about Holy Trinity Cathedral, Tbilisi

Gelati Monastery and Academy (World Heritage Site) near Kutaisi, Georgia

VERTEX Video : Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia II Who Rebuilt Georgian Orthodox Church Dies At 93 (17 March, 2026)

"Patriarch Ilia II of Georgia reposed in the Lord" (Orthodox Times, 17 March, 2026)

"[https://www.helleniscope.com/2026/03/17/a-life-in-christ-patriarch-ilia-ii-of-georgia-1933-2026/ A Life in Christ: Patriarch Ilia II of Georgia (1933–2026)" (Helleniscope, 17 March, 2026)

"Georgian Orthodox Leader Dies at 93" (CNEWA, 17 March, 2026)

‘Primatial Visit to Georgia’ in “Canadian Orthodox Messenger” (Summer, 2004), pp. 2-3.

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