Patriarch Ilia II in Hospital Under Intensive Care
Georgian Orthodox Church Patriarch Ilia II has been hospitalized on the night of March 17 and is in “very serious” condition, Georgian Dream Health Minister Mikheil Sarjveladze confirmed.
“Considering the age and every factor, the situation definitely is not easy,” GD Health Minister Mikheil Sarjveladze told the media at the Caucasus Medical Center, a hospital in Tbilisi where the Patriarch has been admitted.
Hospital director Sopio Aspanidze said that the Patriarch, who turned 93 in January, has been admitted to the “critical care department” at around 3 am in the morning with “mass bleeding from stomach,” saying the “hemodynamics are unstable.”
According to Sarjveladze, the bleeding has been stopped by doctors, but the condition remains “very serious” and “utterly concerning.”
“It is especially important to ensure that vital parameters are maintained in a stable condition,” Sarjveladze said.
The Public Relations Department of the Orthodox Church Patriarchate said early on March 17 that “the situation is problematic, but stable,” calling to help the Patriarch with prayers.
Senior government and church officials, including Georgian Dream-elected President Mikheil Kavelashvili, Health Minister Mikheil Sarjveladze, Culture Minister Tinatin Rukhadze, Head of the State Security Service of Georgia Mamuka Mdinaradze, as well as Public Defender Levan Ioseliani, were seen arriving at the hospital.
Ilia II has led the Georgian Orthodox Church since 1977.
Last updated at 1:16 pm, March 17.
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