We are praying and asking God to grant him strength and health. Such a statement made Archpriest Andria Jaghmaidze, Head of the Patriarchate`s Public Relations Service, while talking about the health condition of Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia II.

"What can be said based on the physicians` assessment is that following the first necessary intervention, the process is proceeding as it should, though they continue to regard the situation as serious. Any further course of action will only be determined by what the body shows over time.

There was a very significant episode of gastric bleeding. It is no simple matter for a man of his age to come through something like this easily. We are praying and asking God to grant him strength and health", - said Andria Jaghmaidze.

Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia Ilia II was admitted to the Caucasus Medical Centre in the late hours of the night following a deterioration in his health.