Catholicos-Patriarch of Georgia Ilia II

Catholicos - Patriarch Ilia II (in the world Irakli Gudushauri - Shiolashvili) - Bishop of the Georgian Orthodox Church, from December 23, 1977 His Holiness and Beatitude Catholicos - Patriarch of All Georgia, Archbishop of Mtskheta and Tbilisi - Primate of the Georgian Church.

Baptized on the Feast of the Nativity in the Georgian church, was called Heraclius after the Georgian King Irakli II. In 1952 he graduated from the Russian secondary school number 22 [1] in Vladikavkaz, Moscow Theological Seminary in 1957 and the Moscow Theological Academy in 1960 [2]. He was ordained a bishop and Shemokmedskie Batumi August 26, 1963. Mtskheta was the rector of the seminary (from 1963-to 1972). In 1967, he became bishop of Sukhumi in 1969 - the Metropolitan. After the death of Catholicos - Patriarch David V 9 November 1977, the decision of the Holy Synod was appointed Patriarchal Locum Tenens. December 23, 1977, was elected Catholicos - Patriarch, Ilia enthroned on December 25, 1977.

In the years 1978-1983 was president of the World Council of Churches.

In the patriarchate of Elijah was a massive revival of Orthodoxy in Georgia in 1980. Beginning in 1989, has repeatedly acted as a mediator between the warring political parties. Served c innitsiativami peacekeeping, despite the outbreak of armed conflict called the Abkhazians and Ossetians brothers [3]

In 1988, Mtskheta Theological Seminary Balea moved to Tbilisi Tbilisi Theological Academy was founded - Seminary. In different parts of Georgia opened the spiritual uchilischayu in Batumi, Akhaltsikhe, Kutaisi seminaries After centuries of inactivity revived again Gelati Academy and spiritual Academy of Sciences in Gelati.

The blessing of Ilia II, the modern Georgian language Bible was published. Based journals, calendars, and newspapers are available. At the initiative of the Catholicos Patriarch at the Center of Folk Art, Architectural Center, Publishing Center, Department of International Relations and Finance Division. Liaison Office with law enforcement agencies and armed forces of Georgia News Service.

During the past 20 years the number of dioceses in Georgia increased from 15 to 33. the number of monasteries, 53. There was the canonization of new saints. built the largest in Georgia's Trinity Cathedral.

This is just a small list of achievements of the Georgian Church committed labors and prayers of His Holiness, Catholicos - Patriarch of All Georgia, Archbishop of Mtskheta and Tbilisi - Primate of the Georgian Church Ilia II.