we have many wonderful Georgian people at our church, and today we remembered Patriarch Ilia II, a man who served God faithfully and cared for the families of Georgia.

When he started his ministry, there were 40 churches. Now, there are over a thousand churches.

Patriarch Illia II not only cared for churches, but also for individual families. According to our friend, the Patriarch personally baptized the 3rd child of a family to encourage people to have more children.

Through his encouragement, many people consecrated their families to God. He was an amazing man.

I told my dad about him today, and Papa said when my mom and he visited Georgia, his friend introduced my parents to the Patriarch. “He was a very good man,” my dad said.

We pray for Patriarch Illia II. As our friend said, now the Patriarch can advocate for us from Heaven.