MESSAGE TO H.B. ILIA, PATRIARCH OF ALL GEORGIA ON THE OCCASION OF HIS 25TH ANNIVERSARY AS HEAD OF THE HOLY CHURCH OF GEORGIA

(translation from the Greek text)

Ref. No. 578

Your Beatitude Ilia, Archbishop of Mts'Cheta and Tbilisi, Catholicos Patriarch of All Georgia, beloved brother and concelebrant, we greet You with a brotherly embrace in the name of our Lord.

It is with great joy that we send You this brotherly letter on the occasion of your 25th anniversary as Head of the Holy Church of Georgia and your 70th birthday.

From Alexandria we have witnessed Your conscientious and splendid service to the Holy Church of Georgia along with Your eminent Orthodox presence there. You are always a shining example in your ethos, decency and works. We take this opportunity to heartily congratulate you and express our ineffable joy on this anniversary.

We fervently wish that the Lord of strength keeps Your beloved Beatitude in good health to continue the many good works for the benefit of the blessed Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Georgia. We embrace you with great honor and deep love.

Your beloved brother in Christ,

+ Petros VII

Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa

In the Great City of Alexandria

September 12th, 2002