Patriarch Ilia II, whose nearly five decades of rule have marked the growing influence of the Georgian Orthodox Church, has died at the age of 93, nearly a day after he was hospitalized amid deteriorating health, Metropolitan Shio Mujiri, Patriarchal locum tenens, announced late on March 17, APA reports citing Civil.ge.
He died in the Caucasus Medical Center, a hospital in Tbilisi, where he had spent the past hours in intensive care after being admitted in the early hours with heavy stomach bleeding. The news of his death follows years of declining health, which had reduced his public appearances and services.
His duties will be assumed by Metropolitan Shio Mujiri, who was named by Ilia II as his locum tenens in 2017, before the election of a new Patriarch by an extended church assembly.
***09:17
“The condition of Georgian Patriarch Ilia II is problematic but stable," APA’s local bureau reports, citing the Georgian Patriarchate.
“Monitoring is being carried out and all necessary measures are being taken to restore the supreme religious leader’s main vital indicators as soon as possible. Considering his age and other factors, the situation is not easy. The Patriarch is under the supervision of doctors,” Georgia’s Ministry of Health said in a statement.
***
09:09
Georgian Patriarch Ilia II has been hospitalized due to health problems, APA’s local bureau reports.
His condition is assessed as serious.
The hospital stated that the patriarch was admitted with stomach bleeding and the necessary medical and diagnostic procedures have been carried out. His treatment is continuing in the intensive care unit.
It should be noted that Ilia II is 93 years old. He has been the Catholicos-Patriarch of Georgia since 1977.
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