Georgian Bishop Urges Ilia II Canonization, Seeks Equal-to-the-Apostles Title
Updated
Updated · sovanews.tv · May 12
Georgian Bishop Urges Ilia II Canonization, Seeks Equal-to-the-Apostles Title
2 articles · Updated · sovanews.tv · May 12
Metropolitan Nikoloz Pachuashvili asked the Georgian Orthodox Church’s expanded assembly to move without delay toward canonizing the late Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia II.
Nikoloz argued Ilia II already shows the Orthodox Church’s recognized signs of holiness, citing righteous life, asceticism, national veneration, miracles, confessorship and a lasting spiritual legacy.
The bishop said Orthodox tradition allows veneration to begin during a figure’s life or immediately after death and pointed to precedents including early martyrs, Saint Nicholas, Saint Anthony the Great and Seraphim of Sarov.
He proposed not only canonization but also granting Ilia II the title “Equal-to-the-Apostles,” framing sainthood as formal recognition of existing public veneration rather than its creation.
Can a leader tied to Soviet-era allegations be named a saint equal to the original apostles?
Will sanctifying Georgia's 'Godfather' erase the controversial chapters of his 50-year rule?