Head of Georgian Church Cancels Moscow Visit over Health Problems

Ilia II, the Patriarch of the Georgian Orthodox Church, said he would not be able to travel to Moscow to attend enthronement of Russia’s new Patriarch, Metropolitan Kirill, on February 1.

Ilia II was hospitalized with, as doctors said, “virus infection” on January 27.

He said in a video message, recorded in hospital, on January 29 that he felt better now, but “unfortunately I will not be able to visit Moscow.”

“But I will send a delegation, which will congratulate Metropolitan Kirill on my and on the Georgian church’s behalf,” he said.

During his visit to Moscow in December the Georgian Patriarch attended the funeral of Russia’s late Patriarch Alexy II and met with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev. Upon his return to Tbilisi the Patriarch said that the Georgian authorities should take an advantage of, as he put it, a positive momentum of his visit and continue a dialogue with Russia.

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