Ilya the second cleric and spiritual leader
Ilia the Second (real name: Irakli Gudashvili) is a prominent cleric and spiritual leader of Georgia. He was the Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, the leading cleric of the Georgian Orthodox Church from 1977 until my last update in September 2021.
Patriarch Ilia II had a significant impact on the religious and socio-cultural life of Georgia. His leadership was characterized by the desire to strengthen the Georgian Orthodox faith and renew church practices. It also played an important role in strengthening the nation’s spirituality during difficult times such as the collapse of the Soviet Union and subsequent political changes.
Patriarch Ilia II also actively supported various charitable and public initiatives aimed at helping the needy and strengthening the Georgian society. It is recognized as a symbol of national unity and spiritual leadership.
Please note that my information may be out of date as my renewal deadline is September 2021 and I cannot provide information on events or changes after that date.
Biography: Patriarch Ilia the Second (Irakli Gudashvili) was born on January 4, 1933 in Vladikavkaz, part of the Soviet Union at that time. He received his spiritual education at the Tbilisi Theological Academy and was ordained a priest in 1957.
Election to the Patriarchal Office: Ilia Gudashvili was elected to the post of Catholicos-Patriarch of Georgia on December 23, 1977 after the death of the previous Patriarch David. He became the 9th Patriarch of the Georgian Orthodox Church.
Preservation of national identity: During the collapse of the Soviet Union and political changes in Georgia, Ilia II played an important role in preserving national identity, spiritual solidarity and renewal of the Georgian Orthodox Church. His leadership gave the church a more active role in public life.
Missionary activity: Patriarch Ilia II also actively supported missionary activity aimed at spreading Christianity in Georgia and beyond. He tried to strengthen faith and moral values among the Georgian population.
Interreligious relations: Under the leadership of Ilia II, the Georgian Orthodox Church maintained dialogue and cooperation with other Christian denominations and religious groups, which helped ease religious tensions.
Public Initiatives: Patriarch Ilia II organized and supported various charitable and social initiatives, including the construction of churches, monasteries, shelters for the needy, and hospitals.
Environmental initiatives: In 2008, one of the most famous projects dedicated to the 1500th anniversary of Christianity in Georgia was “Clean Georgia”. Within the framework of this initiative, the Patriarch called for the improvement of nature and protection of the environment.
Patriarch Ilia II left an important legacy as a religious leader and public figure, helped strengthen the spirituality of the Georgian nation and protect the values of traditional Orthodoxy. He remains an outstanding figure in the history of Georgia.
