Georgian patriarch dies at age of 93

Ilia II, the Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, died on Tuesday at the age of 93 after being hospitalized, the Georgian public broadcaster First Channel reported.

The announcement was made outside Tbilisi's Caucasus Medical Centre by Metropolitan Shio Mujiri, Locum Tenens of the Georgian Patriarchal Throne, according to the report.

Following a deterioration in his health, Ilia II had initially been taken to the Chapidze Clinic and subsequently transferred to the Caucasus Medical Centre. He led the Georgian Orthodox Church since 1977.

Following the news of the patriarch’s death, Georgia declared a national day of mourning.

According to the government decree, state flags will be flown at half-mast on administrative buildings across the country.

Ilia II will lie in state at the Holy Trinity Cathedral, according to Archpriest Andria Jaghmaidze, Head of the Georgian Orthodox Church’s Public Relations Service.