The longtime head of the Georgian Orthodox Church, Ilia II, passed away on March 17, 2026, at the age of 93 after being hospitalised with internal bleeding, according to Reuters. He guided the Church for nearly five decades, shaping faith and society in Georgia.
He was elected Catholicos-Patriarch in 1977, leading the Church during the Soviet era when authorities restricted religious practices. Under his stewardship, the Orthodox institution emerged from suppression and grew into a prominent social and cultural force. Observers noted he expanded his role after Georgia regained independence in 1991, helping the Church fill the nation’s spiritual and cultural void.
The Church secured special status through a 2002 agreement with then-president Eduard Shevardnadze, gaining influence in education, culture, and public life. Surveys consistently ranked it among the most trusted institutions in the country. In later years, Ilia II was known for his conservative views on social issues and for advocating peace during global conflicts. Acting leader Metropolitan Shio Mujiri described him as an “epochal figure,” saying the Orthodox world grieves his loss. Church authorities will elect a successor within 40 days.
Thousands of mourners, government officials, and clergy gathered for the public funeral. His remains were carried in a procession from the Patriarchal residence to Tbilisi’s Holy Trinity Cathedral, as authorities lowered flags nationwide to mark the period of mourning.