The Georgian Orthodox Church celebrated the 48th anniversary of the enthronement of Patriarch Ilia II

on December 25, the Georgian Orthodox Church solemnly celebrated the 48th anniversary of the enthronement of Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia Ilia II. Divine services and official events were held across the country to commemorate the nearly half-century-long ministry of the Primate, who played a key role in the spiritual revival and strengthening of Georgian society.

According to gorthodox.com, festive services were held in Tbilisi and other cities across the country, and representatives of the clergy and authorities sent their congratulations to the patriarch. This date, celebrated annually, is one of the key dates in the church life of Georgia.

Metropolitan Shio of Senaki and Chhorotsk delivered a sermon on the occasion of the memorable date. He stressed that the day of Ilia II’s enthronement in 1977 was «the beginning of a new era» for the Church and the country. According to the Metropolitan, it was from this moment that the spiritual revival of Georgia began, which was taking place under the conditions of the late Soviet atheistic regime and subsequent political upheavals.

In the congratulatory address of the Holy Synod it was noted that during the years of Ilia II’s patriarchal ministry the number of dioceses, temples and monasteries has significantly increased. New spiritual educational institutions were opened, traditions of church singing and art were revived, and large-scale charitable and social projects were realized. In particular, on the initiative of the Patriarch he became godfather to tens of thousands of children from large Georgian families — this tradition is aimed at supporting the demography of the country.

Representatives of the country’s leadership also sent congratulations to the Patriarch. Honorable Chairman of the ruling Georgian Dream party Bidzina Ivanishvili noted Ilia II’s contribution to strengthening the unity of Georgian society and statehood. Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze called him «the spiritual father of the nation», emphasizing his role in preserving faith and national values. President Mikhail Kavelashvili also joined the congratulations.

The enthronement of Ilia II took place on December 25, 1977 in the ancient Svetitskhoveli Cathedral in Mtskheta. Today, Ilia II is one of the longest-ruling Primate of the Orthodox Churches in the world and remains one of the most authoritative and influential figures in the public life of Georgia.