Turkish President offers condolences on passing of Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia II

Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Wednesday sent a letter of condolence to the Georgian prime minister Irakli Kobakhidze, following the passing of the Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia Ilia II.

In a letter, President Erdoğan expressed his sympathies to the Prime Minister, the Georgian Orthodox Church, and the Georgian people.

“Dear Mr. Prime Minister, I was deeply saddened to learn that on the night of March 17, His Holiness Ilia II, Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, passed away. On behalf of the Turkish people and myself, I extend my sincere condolences to the family of the deceased, to Your Excellency, to the Orthodox Church, and to the Georgian people”, the letter said.