On the morning of March 23, before departing for Bulgaria, Patriarch Daniel of Bulgaria and the church delegation accompanying him for the funeral of Patriarch Ilia II of Georgia held a meeting with Metropolitan Shio of Senaki and Chkhorotsku, Locum Tenens of the Georgian Patriarchal Throne, as well as members of the Holy Synod of the Georgian Orthodox Church.
The Bulgarian delegation also included Metropolitan Gavriil of Lovech, along with clergy and lay representatives of the Bulgarian Church.
During the meeting, Patriarch Daniel conveyed, on behalf of himself and the Holy Synod of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, heartfelt condolences for the repose of Patriarch Ilia II. He emphasized once again the great importance of the late Georgian Patriarch for the entire Orthodox world.
The discussions also highlighted the centuries-old spiritual bonds of brotherhood between the Bulgarian and Georgian peoples.
Patriarch Daniel expressed his gratitude for the warm hospitality extended by the Georgian Church and offered prayers that God may appoint a worthy successor to the late Patriarch Ilia II.
Source: Patriarchate of Bulgaria
