Patriarch Ilia II of Georgia died yesterday (2026/03/17 NS) at the age of 93.
I won't say much, except that we are about to find out whether his successors will be as eager to rejoin the WCC as Fr. Joseph believes. (Even if not, I still don't consider WO to be an Orthodox body, but I still hope for them to do the less evil thing.)
Sadly, even though the Orthodox Church of Georgia was pressured into withdrawing from the World Council of Churches in 1997, Pat. Ilia II was still an ecumenist and syncretist until his end, and is of sorry memory. So, even if they don't rejoin the WCC, they could still elect another ecumenist heretic like Ilia II was. It should be remembered, the "Roman Catholic Church" has never formally joined the WCC, but nevertheless, the popes in recent generations have been rabid ecumenists.
From a glance at the general news, it sounds like Patriarch Ilya was being widely mourned in Georgia.
But we have mentioned about him on here, Euphrosynos Cafe - the less favorable sides.
Are there any candidates being discussed yet to succeed him ?
Agree, they will probably be of the same ilk
Patriarch Ilia did THAT ?? I am not surprised about serving with Patriarch Alexei II, but I am really taken aback about his participation in that particular occasion mentioned above.
Why was Patriarch Ilia considered to be so good, then, by the Georgians -- assuming they do view him that way, and it's not just hype ?
The two Georgian bishops at Oslo - were these local hierarchs or were they on that same tour with the other denominations ?
"After 49 years, Georgia's Orthodox Church has chosen a new leader.
Patriarch Shio, Ilia II's chosen successor."
https://x.com/ishowdeka/status/2053808386421006808
"This famous monk (Bishop Job) was one of the 3 candidates for the Patriarch of Georgia. He gained 9 votes out of 39."
https://x.com/NTsadzikidze/status/2053901790672793818
