Georgian Church announces plans for canonization of Patriarch Ilia II

Believers of the Georgian Church bid farewell to their Primate. Photo: www.newsgeorgia.ge

The Holy Synod of the Georgian Orthodox Church will soon consider the question of canonizing the newly departed Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia II. This was reported to journalists by Synod member Metropolitan Nikoloz of Akhalkalaki and Kumurdo.

The bishop emphasized that the basis for glorification is not only the outstanding service of the departed archpastor, but also real testimonies of his holiness. "The day is not far off when we will raise the question of canonizing His Holiness," said Bishop Nikoloz. "Besides the fact that one of the signs of holiness is universal veneration, which we see, there are already cases of healings and miracles."

The history of the Georgian Church already has experience in canonizing patriarch-ascetics who led the flock during difficult historical periods. The most famous in modern Georgia is Saint Ambrose (Khelaia), who headed the Georgian Orthodox Church after the restoration of autocephaly in 1917 and courageously defended the Church from Soviet repressions. He was canonized in 1995 and later recognized as a national hero of the country.

Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia II of Georgia reposed in the Lord on March 17, 2026, in his 94th year of life. He led the Church for nearly five decades and became for the Georgian people a true symbol of spiritual revival after the era of state atheism.

Earlier, the UOJ wrote that it became known whether Patriarch Bartholomew will serve the Liturgy before the funeral service.

Read also