March 17, 2026
Patriarch of Georgia Ilia II Dies
Photo: Official Facebook page of the Georgian Patriarchate. Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia Ilia II has died at the age of 93. This was reported by Georgian First Channel, citing representatives of the patriarchate. According to media reports, Ilia was hospitalized last night with massive gastrointestinal bleeding. In his final hours, he was in intensive care at the Caucasian Medical Center in Tbilisi. Tomorrow, the body of the cleric will be transported to Holy Trinity Cathedral in Tbilisi, the Georgian patriarchate reported. Ilia II held the post of Patriarch of Georgia since 1977. His patriarchate was the longest in the country's history. Georgian media called Ilia II the most prolific godfather in the world. After another mass baptism in 2025, he had about 50,000 godchildren.
TL;DR
- Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia Ilia II died at 93.
- He was hospitalized for massive gastrointestinal bleeding and was in intensive care.
- His patriarchate, starting in 1977, was the longest in Georgian history.
- He was known as the world's most prolific godfather with about 50,000 godchildren.
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