Georgia’s Patriarch to celebrate 85th birthday anniversary, presenting Bible

The Catholics Patriarch of Georgia Ilia II turned 85 today. He has lead the spiritual life of the Orthodox Georgian parish for the past 40 years. 

The patriarch declined to mark the date with a large celebration as there was "no time and [this was not the] situation for this,” the Patriarch’s doctor said.

The patriarch only oversaw the publication of a linguistically updated, modern Georgian version of the Bible.

The country's President Giorgi Margvelashvili and Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili visited Ilia II to congratulate him, Agenda.ge reported.

Kvirikashvili also highlighted the importance of completing scientific works on two "essential publications” - the Old Testament and the Mtskheturi Bible.