Obituary: Ilia II, Patriarch Who Revived Georgian Orthodox Church

Thursday, April 9, 2026

Ilia II, the longtime head of the Georgian Orthodox Church, died at age 93 after nearly five decades leading the institution’s revival from Soviet-era repression. His tenure significantly strengthened the Church’s role in Georgian society, with church membership and national influence reaching historic levels amid a backdrop of political and social change.

Ilia II, the Catholicos-Patriarch of the Georgian Orthodox Church who served for nearly five decades, died on March 17, 2026, at the age of 93. Born Irakli Gudushauri-Shiolashvili on January 4, 1933, he was appointed patriarch in 1977 during a period when the Church was severely weakened by decades of Soviet repression.

At the time of his installation, the Georgian Orthodox Church had been reduced to just 50 functioning churches and 70 priests. Over his 49-year tenure—the longest in the history of the Georgian Church—Ilia II worked to restore and expand the institution’s influence and infrastructure. Among his achievements was the publication of a modern Georgian-language Bible and extensive outreach efforts aimed at engaging younger generations.

Ilia II was a prominent supporter of Georgian national movements opposing Soviet rule. He notably led the Church during the violent crackdown on April 9, 1989, when Soviet forces suppressed Georgian independence demonstrations, an event that helped galvanize the drive toward Georgia’s eventual independence in 1991. Under his guidance, the number of active churches surpassed pre-Soviet levels, and by 2017, nearly 90% of Georgians identified as Orthodox Christians, with the Church reportedly enjoying approval ratings of around 90 percent.

Despite his role as a unifying spiritual figure, Ilia II’s tenure was not without controversy. He maintained close relations with both Soviet and later Russian authorities, a stance that drew criticism from some quarters. He also adopted conservative positions on social issues, including opposition to abortion and homosexuality, which sparked debate within Georgian society. Additionally, the Church faced internal scandals that at times led to public disputes.

Following his death, large-scale funeral ceremonies were held at Tbilisi’s Holy Trinity Cathedral, attended by tens of thousands of mourners as well as several Russian officials. Ilia II’s leadership spanned a pivotal era in Georgian history, during which the Orthodox Church reasserted itself as a central institution in national identity and spiritual life.