Mourning has been declared across Georgia following the death of Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia II.
State flags have been lowered on administrative buildings nationwide.
The Catholicos-Patriarch of Georgia passed away on the evening of March 17 in hospital. He was initially taken late at night to the Chapidze Heart Center and later transferred to the Caucasus Medical Centre, where he was placed in intensive care. Doctors reported that he was suffering from gastric bleeding. Throughout the day, medical professionals described his condition as critically stable. The possibility of transferring him abroad was not considered, although it was confirmed that a doctor had been invited from Turkey.
In the evening, reports emerged that his condition had further deteriorated, and at approximately 23:00, his Locum Tenens, Metropolitan Shio Mujiri, announced the Patriarch’s death to the public.
