The British Embassy in Georgia has expressed deep sorrow over the passing of His Holiness and Beatitude, Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, Ilia II.
The statement was delivered in Georgian by the United Kingdom’s Ambassador to Georgia, Gareth Ward.
“His Holiness, Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia Ilia II, served as the spiritual leader of Georgia for half a century. His unparalleled contribution had an immeasurable impact on the lives of the Georgian people and on the formation of the independent Georgian state. In 2011, his meeting with Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was a remarkable moment in relations between our two countries.
Today, we extend our deepest condolences to the Georgian Orthodox Church and the Georgian people on the passing of His Holiness and Beatitude. May the Lord grant him eternal rest,” Ambassador Gareth Ward said.
