Georgian Orthodox Church initiates the process of canonization of Patriarch Ilia II

The Holy Synod of the Georgian Orthodox Church (GOC) is planning to officially consider the issue of sainthood of the newly deceased Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia II in the near future. As NEWSGEORGIA reports, the basis for the glorification was not only the many years of service of the deceased primate, but also numerous evidences of his holiness, including cases of miraculous healings.

Metropolitan Nikoloz of Akhalkalaki and Kumurdo, a member of the Synod of the SOC, told journalists about the forthcoming consideration of the issue. The hierarch stressed that the key criterion for canonization is universal popular veneration, which is clearly observed in Georgia. According to Vladyka, the day when the issue of glorification of His Holiness will be officially raised at the meeting of the Synod «is not far off».

Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia II passed away on March 17, 2026 at the age of 94. He headed the Church for almost five decades, becoming for the Georgian people a true symbol of spiritual revival after the era of state atheism. In the history of the GOC there is already experience of canonization of outstanding patriarchs-militants: in 1995, Saint Amvrosy (Helaya), who led the Church in 1917 and courageously defended it from Soviet repression, was canonized.