Ilia II was and remains a symbol of national unity, the Mayor of Tbilisi, Kakha Kaladze, said at today’s meeting of the municipal government.

Together with members of the city government, he honored the memory of the Patriarch with a moment of silence.

“Today, all of Georgia mourns the death of our spiritual father—a man whose contribution to the life of the country and the nation is invaluable. His life and work were an extraordinary example of love, humility, patience, and service. Ilia II was and remains a symbol of national unity, and his passing will remain for Georgia and his spiritual children as a deep, lasting wound,” Kaladze said.

The Tbilisi Mayor also highlighted the Patriarch’s role in the restoration and strengthening of the Georgian Orthodox Church.

“His Holiness and Beatitude Ilia II was able to restore and strengthen the Georgian Orthodox Church, which had been suppressed after the Bolshevik era, step by step, elevating spirituality among the people. Under his leadership, the Patriarchate of Georgia became not only a center of spirituality but also an important hub for shaping national consciousness and promoting Georgian culture,” the Mayor noted.