Hungarian Ambassador pays tribute to Ilia II, highlights Patriarch's monumental role in Georgia’s spiritual life

Petra Ponevács-Pana, the Hungarian ambassador to Georgia, on Wednesday expressed her deep sorrow following the passing of His Holiness and Beatitude Ilia II, the Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia.

The diplomat highlighted the Patriarch's monumental role in the nation’s spiritual life.

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“We are deeply saddened to hear that His Holiness and Beatitude Ilia II has returned to his Heavenly Father. His decades of spiritual leadership revived the strength of the Georgian Orthodox Church and affected countless lives”, Petra Ponevács-Pana said in a social media message.

Ambassador Pana’s message joins a wave of international tributes honoring the late Patriarch, who led the Georgian Orthodox Church for nearly half a century. His leadership is widely credited with the spiritual revival of the country following the Soviet era.