Georgian PM highlights Patriarch Ilia II’s role as defender of traditions and statehood

Georgian prime minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Saturday delivered a poignant tribute to the late Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia II during his address at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Budapest, highlighting the Patriarch’s lifelong dedication to Georgia’s traditions and Christian values.

In his address, Kobakhidze emphasised that the late Patriarch Ilia II, who led the Georgian Orthodox Church for 48 years, transformed Christian ideals into a lasting source of strength for the Georgian people.

He described the Patriarch’s passing as deeply personal for the nation, emphasizing that he filled people’s hearts with love and, in return, received immense devotion from the public.

“Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia Ilia II led Georgia with unwavering fidelity to its traditions and Christian morality. Beyond spiritual leadership, the Patriarch also became a beacon of wisdom for the state; during his ministry, the Church was not merely a religious institution - it was also the guardian of Georgian statehood and national identity”, he said.

The prime minister noted that Ilia II turned Christian ideals into an eternal source of strength for the Georgian people.

“It is a great honour for me to address this distinguished audience and speak on behalf of Georgia at a forum that has become an important platform for discussing the future of our nations. Since we have gathered to discuss shared values, I would like to begin my remarks by paying tribute to the memory of the Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, His Holiness Ilia II, who passed away three days ago. He turned Christian ideals into an eternal source of strength for the Georgian people. Today, all of Georgia is united in mourning”, Kobakhidze stressed.

He also highlighted the emotional connection between the Patreiarch Ilia II and the Georgian people, stating that his leadership was marked by mutual love and trust.

“The passing of His Holiness, who led the Georgian Orthodox Church for 48 years, is deeply personal for us, because he filled people's hearts with love and himself received the greatest love from the people. He led Georgia with unwavering fidelity to its traditions and Christian morality. Beyond spiritual leadership, the Patriarch also became a beacon of wisdom for the state. During his ministry, the Church was not merely a religious institution; it was also the guardian of Georgian statehood and national identity”, the prime minister noted.

“In honour of the Patriarch's memory, we call upon ourselves to protect what he so faithfully defended - our country's national and religious identity”, he concluded.