Ilia II was and remains a symbol of national unity, the Mayor of Tbilisi said this at today’s meeting of the municipal government.
Together with members of the city government, he observed a minute of silence to honor the memory of the Patriarch.
“Today, all of Georgia mourns the passing of our spiritual father - a man whose contribution to the life of the country and the nation is invaluable. His ministry was an extraordinary example of love, humility, patience, and service. Ilia II was and remains a symbol of national unity; his passing will remain an unhealed wound for Georgia and his spiritual children for a very long time”, - said Kakha Kaladze.
As he noted, the Patriarch’s role in the restoration and strengthening of the Georgian Orthodox Church.
“His Holiness and Beatitude Ilia II managed to restore and strengthen the Georgian Orthodox Church step-by-step after it had been oppressed by the Bolshevik wave, and to elevate spirituality within the nation. Under his leadership, the Patriarchate of Georgia was not only a center of spirituality but also an important hub for the formation of national identity and the development of Georgian culture”, - added the Mayor.