Nino Latsabidze, who is the current mayor of Rustvai Municipality of Georgia extended her best wishes to Illia II on her 91st birthday. She also called him the greatest spiritual leader of the 21st century, who has blessed the Georgian with his wise guidance. He was born in Ordzhonikidze on 4 January 1933 and completed the 90 years of his life.
The mayor, Nino Latsabidze, took to her social media handle and stated, “ With great respect, I congratulate Catholic Patriarch of Georgia Ilia II on his birthday. I wish him health and long life. Thanking Him for true spiritual leadership and the Tremendous sacrifices He has made for the betterment of our country”.
It is to be specifically mentioned that leaders across the party lines wish the birthday to the spiritual leader of Georgia.Recently, the Prime Minster as well as President also extended their best wishes and sought his blessing as well.
It is to be noted that Sometimes, the Ilia is also called Iiya or Elijah. He is the supreme spiritual leader of the Orthodox Church of Georgia.
He also advocated the peace process between Georgia and Russia. Ilia 2 also gained great respect among Georgians when he visited the areas that were under the control of Russia.
Ilia II, although a great spiritual leader but he gained came to the limelight in the year of 2008. At that time, he made an appeal to political leaders of Russia that the orthodox Russia should stop bombing Orthodox Georgia.
The mayor wishes for a long life to Illia II and stated that his guidance is very necessary.Many social media users also commented and congratulated Illia II. One user, Larisa Goginashvili, commented, “I protect our patriarch (my uncle), I wish him courage first of all.
Many, many happy returns of the day”.Similarly, another user, Lia Gidelia, commented, “Happy birthday to our patriarch; I wish him long life and health”.
Eliso Miqautadze commented that “May the Lord strengthen, give endurance and long live our Patriarch”.
