US Secretary of State: spiritual leadership, enduring legacy of Patriarch Ilia II will be remembered for generations to come

US secretary of state Marco Rubio on Thursday expressed condolences to the Georgian people and the Orthodox Church following the passing of the Catholicos-Patriarch of Georgia Ilia II.

In his letter of condolence, Rubio emphasised Ilia II’s special role in the country’s history.

“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. His spiritual leadership and enduring legacy will be remembered for generations to come. May he rest in peace”, the letter said.