The Minister of Education and Science of Georgia, Mikheil Chkhenkeli congratulates the Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, the Archbishop of Mtskheta-Tbilisi, and the Metropolitan of Bichvinta and Tskhum-Abkhazia, His Holiness and Beatitude Ilia II:

"Your Holiness,

First and foremost, I would like to express my deepest respect to you and wish you a happy birthday with all my heart!

I wish you health, encouragement, and long life for the benefit of our nation and country! 

You have been the guardian of the spirituality of the country for many years, for which I would like to thank you. Your merits before the Georgian state and church are invaluable.

Congratulations once again on your 89^th birthday anniversary! "