PATRIARCH ILIA WILL SOON BE DECLARED A SAINT: The day before the funeral, the Synod of the Georgian Church announced canonization
Patriarch Ilia II was admitted to the intensive care unit in Tbilisi last night due to a worsening of his health condition.
TL;DR
- The Georgian Orthodox Church's Holy Synod will soon discuss the canonization of Patriarch Ilia II.
- Reasons for canonization include his exceptional spiritual service, universal respect, and accounts of miraculous healings.
- Patriarch Ilia II passed away on March 17, 2026, at the age of 94, after leading the Church for nearly 50 years.
- He is recognized for his role in the spiritual revival of the Georgian people after a period of state atheism.
- The Georgian Church has a history of canonizing ascetic patriarchs, such as Saint Amvrosije (Helaja), who defended the Church against Soviet repression.