The Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia Ilia II has died at the age of ninety-three. This was announced outside the clinic by the vicar of the patriarchal throne, Metropolitan Shio (Mujiri), quoted by the Georgian public media GPB, BTA reported.
Due to poor health, Ilia II was hospitalized in the "Chapidze" clinic, and then in the "Caucasus Medical Center".
Ilia II (whose secular name is Irakli Shiolashvili) was born on January 4, 1933 in Ordzhonikidze (North Ossetia). In 1960, he graduated from the Moscow Theological Academy. In 1957, he was tonsured a monk and took the name Ilia. From 1963 to 1972 he was the first rector of the Mtskheta Theological Seminary. In 1969 he became metropolitan, and on November 9, 1977 he was appointed vicar of the patriarchal throne.
He was elected patriarch on December 23, 1977. Two days later, his enthronement took place.
The name of Ilia II is associated with the restoration and construction of temples and monasteries in Georgia since Soviet times, the strengthening of the autocephaly of the Georgian Orthodox Church, the opening of theological educational institutions and high schools, the increase in the number of dioceses, the development of international relations, as well as numerous significant publishing and scientific and educational initiatives, the GPB notes.
A special place in the biography of Ilia II is occupied by the recognition of the autocephaly of the Georgian Church by the Ecumenical Patriarchate in 1990.