His Beatitude offers condolences following death of Patriarch Ilia II

Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia Ilia II. Photo: UOC
His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry of Kyiv and All Ukraine has expressed condolences following the repose of Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia II of All Georgia, according to the press service of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.
The message was addressed to Metropolitan Shio (Mujiri), locum tenens of the Patriarchal throne of the Georgian Orthodox Church.
In his statement, His Beatitude said he received the news of Patriarch Ilia II’s death with deep sorrow, noting that the late primate “labored greatly for the glory of God and for the good of the Church of Christ.”
Metropolitan Onuphry said the blessed memory of the newly reposed Patriarch would remain forever in his heart, as well as in the grateful memory of the Ukrainian people.
“May the Lord receive the soul of His faithful servant in the dwellings of the righteous,” the condolence message says.
Metropolitan Onuphry also expressed sincere condolences to the hierarchs, clergy, and faithful of the Georgian Church, noting the spiritual significance of the late Patriarch’s ministry for the entire Orthodox world.
As the UOJ previously reported, Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia II of All Georgia reposed in the Lord on March 17, 2026, in his 94th year.
Read also
Greek hierarch: Clergy should use social media to bring people to Church
The Church of Greece hierarch stressed that while the internet and YouTube can be useful, they cannot replace in-person participation in church life.
Odesa prosecutors appeal UOC church ruling to Supreme Court
The Odesa Regional Prosecutor's Office has appealed to the Supreme Court, seeking to transfer a UOC church to state ownership.
Yelensky on Kyiv Metropolia case: We oppose participation of UOC “believers”
Viktor Yelensky questioned whether those seeking to join the case over the dissolution of the Kyiv Metropolia are actually UOC believers.
Poland collects signatures to ban 'Banderism'
Polish activists are calling for criminal penalties for promoting the ideology of the OUN-UPA, placing it on par with Nazism and communism.
OCU cleric says people should eat less meat on Wednesdays and Fridays
OCU cleric and blogger Oleksii Filiuk, who has over a million followers, explained that he tries to limit his meat consumption on fasting days.
DESS head: Religious freedom was violated under Yanukovych, not Zelensky
Yelensky claims that the law banning the UOC, adopted under Zelensky, does not restrict believers’ religious freedoms.