U.S. Secretary of State Offers Condolences on Passing of Patr. Ilia II
Marco Rubio honors legacy of long-serving primate of the Georgian Orthodox Church.
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has issued a formal letter of condolence following the death of Patr. Ilia II, the longtime head of the Georgian Orthodox Church.
"We mourn the passing of His Holiness, Catholicos-Patriarch of Georgia Ilia II, and offer our sincere condolences to the people of Georgia, as well as to all the faithful of the Georgian Orthodox Church," the statement reads. "His spiritual leadership and enduring legacy will be remembered for generations to come. May he rest in peace."
Patr. Ilia II, who led the Church for nearly five decades, is widely regarded as one of the most influential religious figures in modern Georgian history.
Previously, the UOJ reported that Georgian faithful honored their departed patriarch in a massive funeral procession.
