Serbian Primate expresses condolences over death of Patriarch Ilia
Patriarch Porfirije performed a memorial service in Belgrade and called the late Georgian hierarch a "true apostle".
On March 18, 2026, Primate of the Serbian Orthodox Church Patriarch Porfirije sent a message to the Locum Tenens of the Georgian Patriarchal Throne, the Synod and the faithful in connection with the repose of Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia II. On the same day, in the chapel of his residence in Belgrade, he served a memorial service for the departed hierarch, reports the official website of the Serbian Church.
In his letter, the Serbian Patriarch called the newly-departed Ilia II "the unforgettable father and archpastor of the Georgian people." The hierarch emphasized that although the news of the death of a brother in Christ reached the Church in the midst of Great Lent, believers should not "grieve as if hopeless," but must look with faith to the Resurrection of Christ and eternal life.
"Like a tree planted by the spring of waters (cf. Ps 1:3), our blessed brother Elijah bore abundant fruit in his time, while his labors and works left an indelible spiritual influence first on the clergy and faithful people entrusted to him, and then spread throughout the universe," reads the text of condolence.
Patriarch Porfirije believes that from the "Christ-like personality" of the Georgian Primate shone the image of a true apostle, a guardian of church order and tradition, who became a moral support for his compatriots in complex historical circumstances. Thanks to his wisdom, Georgia could strengthen church life and preserve its identity and traditional values.
The head of the Serbian Church paid special attention to the unique pastoral feat of Ilia II – the personal baptism of tens of thousands of children. According to Patriarch Porfirije, this activity gave a powerful stimulus to the evangelical life of the flock, and the Primate himself became for all Christians "a city set on a hill" (Mt 5:14) and an example for all Christians to follow.
"May our Lord Jesus Christ, the Resurrection and Life, rest the soul of His newly appointed servant, Patriarch Elijah, in the abodes of the righteous, where there is no sickness, nor sorrow, nor sighing, but where life is endless," wished the Serbian Primate.
Earlier, the UOJ wrote that His Beatitude expressed condolences over the death of Patriarch Ilia.
