Metr. Tikhon Sends Condolences to Georgian Church
Metr. Tikhon honors Patr. Ilia II as a faithful shepherd and father of the Orthodox world.
SPRINGFIELD, VA — Metr. Tikhon, primate of the Orthodox Church in America (OCA), has sent a letter of condolence to the Georgian Orthodox Church following the repose of Patr. Ilia II, who passed away on March 17, 2026, at the age of 93.
Addressed to Metr. Shio Mujiri, Locum Tenens of the Patriarchal Throne, the letter expresses sorrow while affirming hope in the Resurrection. Metr. Tikhon praised Patr. Ilia II’s decades-long leadership, noting his role in guiding the Georgian Church through periods of hardship, renewal, and national transformation.
“His Holiness’ long and remarkable tenure as Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia stands as a profound witness to faithfulness, perseverance, and pastoral love,” he wrote, adding that the late Patriarch was “widely recognized as a father among hierarchs and a steadfast confessor of the Orthodox faith.”
Metr. Tikhon assured the Georgian faithful of continued prayers, concluding: “May the Lord grant rest to His faithful servant . . . where there is no pain, sorrow, or sighing, but life everlasting.”
Previously, the UOJ reported that the Georgian President honored Patr. Ilia II on his 93rd birthday.
