PATRIARCH ILIA WILL SOON BE DECLARED A SAINT: The day before the funeral, the Synod of the Georgian Church announced canonization

PATRIARCH ILIA WILL SOON BE DECLARED A SAINT: The day before the funeral, the Synod of the Georgian Church announced canonization The Holy Synod of the Georgian Orthodox Church will soon consider the canonization of the recently deceased Patriarch Ilia II. This decision is based on his significant spiritual service, universal respect, and reported miraculous healings. Patriarch Ilia II, who led the Church for nearly five decades and passed away on March 17, 2026, is credited with a spiritual revival of the Georgian people.

• The Georgian Orthodox Church’s Holy Synod will soon discuss the canonization of Patriarch Ilia II.
• Reasons for canonization include his exceptional spiritual service, universal respect, and accounts of miraculous healings.
• Patriarch Ilia II passed away on March 17, 2026, at the age of 94, after leading the Church for nearly 50 years.
• He is recognized for his role in the spiritual revival of the Georgian people after a period of state atheism.
• The Georgian Church has a history of canonizing ascetic patriarchs, such as Saint Amvrosije (Helaja), who defended the Church against Soviet repression.