Patriarch Ilia II of Georgia passes away aged 93

ArmInfo. Patriarch Ilia II of Georgia fell asleep in the Lord today, 17 March 2026, at the age of 93, leaving behind a long history of pastoral service in the Orthodox Church, world media report. 

This was confirmed by Metropolitan Shio (Mujiri) of Senaki and  Chkhorotsku, Patriarchal Locum Tenens.

The late Primate was hospitalized at the Caucasus Medical Center on  March 17, where he immediately received the necessary medical care  following a sudden deterioration in his health.

The repose of Patriarch Ilia II marks the end of an entire era for  the Church of Georgia, as he was a spiritual father and a point of  reference for the Georgian people, leaving an indelible mark on the  course of Orthodoxy.

Biography of Patriarch Ilia II of Georgia

Patriarch Ilia II of Georgia, born Irakli Ghudushauri-Shiolashvili on  January 4, 1933, in Vladikavkaz (then Ordzhonikidze in the Soviet  Union), was one of the most influential spiritual leaders in modern  Georgian history. His family originated from the Kazbegi region of  Georgia, with deep roots in the mountainous area of Khevi, where the  Shiolashvili family was well known.

Early Life and Education

Ilia II pursued theological studies in Moscow Theological Seminary  and later at the Moscow Theological Academy, from which he graduated  in 1960. He was ordained a hierodeacon in 1957 and a hieromonk in  1959, marking the beginning of his ecclesiastical journey.

After completing his studies, he returned to Georgia and was assigned  to serve as a priest in the cathedral church of Batumi. In 1961, he  was elevated to the rank of hegumen and later archimandrite,  demonstrating his growing role within the Church.

Rise in the Church Hierarchy

On August 26, 1963, he was consecrated Bishop of Batumi and  Shemokmedi and appointed Patriarchal Vicar. During the same period,  he served as the first rector of the Mtskheta Theological Seminary,  the only clerical school in Georgia at the time, playing a key role  in the formation of new clergy.

In 1967, he became Bishop of Tskhumi and Abkhazia and was elevated to  Metropolitan in 1969, further strengthening his leadership position  within the Georgian Orthodox Church.

Election as Patriarch

Following the death of Patriarch David V of Georgia, Ilia II was  elected Catholicos- Patriarch of All Georgia on December 25, 1977.

His election marked the beginning of a transformative era for the  Church, which had long suffered under the restrictions of Soviet  ideology.

Revival of the Georgian Orthodox Church

As Patriarch, Ilia II initiated a process of renewal that helped  restore the Church's influence and prestige. By the late 1980s, the  number of clergy, monasteries, and churches had significantly  increased. Under his leadership, the Church expanded its presence and  reconnected with the faithful across the country.

He also oversaw the publication of a modern Georgian translation of  the Bible during the period of reforms in the Soviet Union.

Role in Society and National Life

Patriarch Ilia II played an active role in Georgia's social and  political life, especially during times of crisis. On April 9, 1989,  he joined peaceful demonstrators in Tbilisi protesting Soviet rule  and urged them to withdraw to the Kashueti Church to avoid bloodshed.  Despite his appeals, the protest was violently suppressed, resulting  in numerous casualties.

During the civil conflicts of the 1990s, he consistently called for  peace and reconciliation among opposing sides.

International Engagement and Church Policy

From 1978 to 1983, Ilia II served as co-president of the World  Council of Churches.  However, in 1997, amid internal opposition, he  led the Georgian Orthodox Church to withdraw from the organization in  order to preserve ecclesiastical unity.

In 2002, he signed a historic agreement with the President of  Georgia, Eduard Shevardnadze, granting the Church a special legal  status and recognizing its significant role in national life.

Legacy

Patriarch Ilia II's decades-long ministry left a profound impact on  both the Church and Georgian society. He is widely regarded as a  spiritual father and moral authority who guided the Georgian Orthodox  Church through difficult historical periods, restoring its vitality  and strengthening its role in the life of the nation.