Georgian Patriarch Ilia II marks 47th anniversary of enthronement
Patriarch Ilia II. Photo: kavkazplus.com
On December 25, 2023, Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, Archbishop of Mtskheta-Tbilisi, and Metropolitan of Pitsunda and Tskhum-Abkhazia Ilia II celebrates the 47th anniversary of his enthronement.
This makes the tenure of Patriarch Ilia II the longest in the history of the Georgian Orthodox Church. The Patriarch’s enthronement took place on December 25, 1977, at the Svetitskhoveli Cathedral.
Honorary chairman of the Georgian Dream party, Bidzina Ivanishvili, congratulated the Patriarch and stated that the day of his enthronement is a historic day for Georgia. “47 years ago, a new era began in the history of the Georgian Orthodox Apostolic Church,” he noted.
As previously reported by the UOJ, the Primate of the Georgian Church, Patriarch Ilia, had earlier addressed the Georgian people in connection with protest actions in the capital.
Read also
Met. Varsonofiy сelebrates Liturgy at persecuted UOC parish in Stryzhavka
A UOC hierarch officiated the Nativity service and offered prayers for peace in Ukraine.
Seized Dormition Cathedral in Volodymyr transferred from UOC to OCU control
Huz stated that after being handed to the OCU, the Dormition Cathedral in Volodymyr will be “Ukrainian and alive”.
In Brussels, Cardinal Parolin urges Europe to remember its Christian roots
The Vatican Secretary of State spoke at the Cathedral of Saints Michael and Gudula on the occasion of its eight-hundredth anniversary and recalled Europe’s spiritual mission.
388 mln Christians face persecution and discrimination over faith – report
The organization Portes Ouvertes has published research findings concluding that pressure on believers worldwide has intensified.
Archbishop of Albania: Orthodoxy is a key pillar of Albania’s European path
During a visit to Brussels, the Primate of the Albanian Orthodox Church underscored the importance of Orthodoxy for the country’s integration into the EU and for maintaining interreligious balance in society.
His Beatitude leads divine service at Lavra on Circumcision of the Lord feast
During the festive service at the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra, special prayers were offered for peace on the Ukrainian land and for God’s blessing upon the new year.