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# U.S. Secretary of State Offers Condolences on Passing of Patr. Ilia II
- URL: https://uoj.news/news/86757-us-secretary-of-state-offers-condolences-on-passing-of-patr-ilia-ii/
- Published: 2026-03-20T15:45:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-23T09:42:02.000Z
- Description: Marco Rubio honors legacy of long-serving primate of the Georgian Orthodox Church.
- Author: Aaron Hickman
- Tags: #Category: News, Church and State, Patriarch Ilia of Georgia, Patriarch Ilia II of Georgia, Georgian Orthodox Church, Trump Administration, Marco Rubio

**WASHINGTON, D.C. —** U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has issued a [formal letter](https://ge.usembassy.gov/on-the-death-of-ilia-ii-catholicos-patriarch-of-the-georgian-orthodox-church/) 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."

[![](https://uoj.news/content/images/2026/09/86757-us-secretary-of-state-offers-condolences-on-passing-of-patr-ilia-ii-image.png)On this topicA Godfather of His Country](https://uoj.news/man-and-church/86754-a-godfather-of-his-country/)

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](https://uoj.news/news/86747-thousands-process-through-tbilisi-for-patr-ilia-ii/) that Georgian faithful honored their departed patriarch in a massive funeral procession.