“I want to thank Patriarch for his merit and contribution to the building of Georgian state” Mamuka Bakhtadze, Georgian Prime Minister said at Svetitskhoveli Cathedral in Mtskheta town where solemn church service was held on the occasion of the 41st anniversary of the enthronement of Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, His Holiness and Beatitude Ilia II.
Prime Minister said that calls of Patriarch for love of motherland, tolerance, diligence, mutual respect and education were very important. Georgian Patriarch is receiving congratulations from members of the Holy Synod, representatives of the authorities and the believers.
In 1967, Ilia was consecrated as the bishop of Tskhumi and Abkhazeti and elevated to the rank of metropolitan in 1969. After the death of the controversial Patriarch David V, he was elected the new Catholicos-Patriarch of Georgia on December 25, 1977.
Source: 1tv.ge