Georgian Patriarch Ilia II may be canonised as Saint

The Holy Synod of the Georgian Orthodox Church is expected to soon consider canonising Ilia II, Catholicos-Patriarch of all Georgia, Metropolitan Nikoloz Pachuashvili of Akhalkalaki, Kumurdo, and Kari told Georgian journalists.

Metropolitan Nikoloz stated that the day is not far when the question of canonising His Holiness Patriarch Ilia II will be raised, according to Georgian media.

He noted two arguments in favour of canonisation: the widespread love of the people and miracles of healing attributed to him.

Ilia II passed away on the evening of March 17. A requiem is being held at the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Tbilisi, and the patriarch will be buried on March 22 at the Sioni Cathedral in Tbilisi, according to his will. Georgia has declared a period of mourning lasting until the day of the funeral.

By Jeyhun Aghazada