Metropolitan Zachariah Mar Nicholovos sent a condolence letter to His Grace Bishop Saba of the Georgian Diocese of North America on the passing of His Holiness Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia II of Georgia, Primate of the Georgian Orthodox Church.
In his message of condolence to His Grace Bishop Saba, Metropolitan Nicholovos noted that His Holiness’ long primatial ministry strengthened the spiritual life of his people and contributed greatly to Christian witness and unity worldwide.
Metropolitan Nicholovos also recalled with gratitude the historic 1982 visit of Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia II to India, when he attended the 70th anniversary celebrations of the re-establishment of the Catholicate in Malankara and bestowed the Order of St. George upon His Holiness Catholicos Baselios Marthoma Mathews I, a moment that strengthened the fraternal bonds between the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church and the Georgian Orthodox Church.
Metropolitan Nicholovos concluded by assuring prayers for the repose of His Holiness’ soul and for consolation to the clergy and faithful of the Georgian Orthodox Diocese of North America during this time of grief.