His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew expressed condolences on the passing of Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia II of Georgia, highlighting the strengthened ties between the Georgian Orthodox Church and the Church of Constantinople.

The Ecumenical Patriarch sent a letter to the Holy Synod of the Georgian Orthodox Church and personally officiated a memorial service at the Patriarchal Church of St. George.

“To the Holy Synod of the Georgian Orthodox Church. Regarding the passing of the unforgettable leader of the Georgian Orthodox Church, the late Ilia II, we remember his fatherly love for the faithful nation and the friendly country of Georgia, his long and blessed patriarchate, during which the Georgian people’s sincere love and deep respect for his worthy person were evident. During his tenure, relations between the Georgian Orthodox Church and the Church of Constantinople were particularly strengthened… On behalf of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, and personally, we express our condolences to the Georgian Orthodox Church and its faithful flock.

May the memory of the blessed Patriarch, our brother and fellow sufferer, Ilia II, be eternal and unforgettable”, - reads the letter.