Azerbaijani President says “deeply saddened” to receive news of passing of Patriarch Ilia II

Azerbaijani president Ilham Aliyev on Wednesday expressed deep sadness over the passing of His Holiness and Beatitude, Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia Ilia II.

In his letter to the Georgian prime minister Irakli Kobakhidze, Aliyev noted that Ilia II, through his initiatives aimed at establishing peace, security, solidarity, and interfaith understanding and dialogue among peoples in the Caucasus, became enshrined in the hearts of millions.

“We were deeply saddened to receive the news of the passing of His Holiness Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia Ilia II, an outstanding religious figure of our time. His Holiness Ilia II devoted his entire life and efforts to noble deeds for the sake of his people and humanity. Through his initiatives aimed at establishing peace, security, solidarity, and interfaith understanding and dialogue among peoples in the Caucasus, His Holiness Ilia II became enshrined in the hearts of millions, regardless of their national or religious affiliation, earning deep respect and sympathy”, Aliyev said.

“His Holiness Ilia II made significant contributions to the development and strengthening of the traditional ties of friendship and cooperation between Azerbaijan and Georgia. Sharing the grief of this profound loss, I extend my deepest condolences to you, the entire Georgian people, and the Georgian Orthodox Church, both personally and on behalf of the people of Azerbaijan”, he concluded.