Imedi /  21 March 2026, 16:53 / Reliable source

Archbishop of Canterbury highlights significance of Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia II’s legacy

Photo: Getty Images

Sarah Mullally

The Archbishop of Canterbury Sarah Mullally on Saturday expressed condolences on the passing of Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, Ilia II, assuring prayers and solidarity with the Georgian Orthodox Church and the people of Georgia.

The Archbishop of Canterbury noted that the Church of England stands in prayerful unity with the Georgian Orthodox Church during this period of grief.

“It is with continued sorrow that we remember His Holiness Ilia II, Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, on the eve of his funeral. I assure the Hierarchs and faithful of the Georgian Orthodox Church, and the people of Georgia, of my prayers at this time of mourning. I have written privately to the Chancellor to convey my condolences on behalf of the Church of England”, she said.

She further confirmed that a representative, Bishop David Hamid, would attend the funeral on behalf of the Church of England.

“I am grateful that the Right Reverend David Hamid will represent me and the Church of England at the funeral, as we stand in prayerful solidarity with all who grieve. May the Lord grant him rest and let light perpetual shine upon him”, Archbishop of Canterbury concluded.

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