“For 42 years, our country faced many challenges,” Bidzina Ivanishvili, the Chairman of the Georgian Dream, said. The liturgy celebrating the 42nd anniversary of the enthronement of Ilia II, the Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, and the spiritual leader of the Georgian Orthodox Church took place in Svetitskhoveli Cathedral.
Bidzina Ivanishvili congratulated the Patriarch on the 42nd anniversary of his enthronement, noting that the country that has a spiritual leader like him is a lucky one.
“The contribution of our Church and the contribution of His Holiness, the Patriarch, in a time of great distress when the nation was in need is greatest. Very often, the Church and His Holiness were the ones that kept things together. Today life is still difficult, which requires organized and thoughtful management. Both the state and the Church perform their functions in a very thoughtful and orderly manner so that we can overcome all challenges and lead our country to victory,” Ivanishvili said.
The Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia Ilia II was enthroned 42 years ago. He was elected Patriarch of Georgia at the age of 44, in 1977, in the twelfth Council of the Georgian Church. The enthronement of Ilia II took place on 25th December of the same year.
