Elijah II, a significant figure in independent Georgia's history and a spiritual leader of the nation, passed away at 93 years old. Following his death, the patriarchate in Tbilisi announced that his body would be transferred to Sameba Cathedral, and a national mourning was declared across Georgia. His deputy, Metropolitan Shio Mujiri, described him as an epoch-defining figure, indicating the patriarch's deep impact on the Orthodox Church worldwide.

Elijah II was both revered and criticized; while many viewed him as an influential leader in Georgia's post-Soviet era, he faced backlash from pro-Western segments of the population. Critics argued that his strong adherence to traditional values and political influence impeded the country’s pro-European aspirations. This duality illustrates the complex role religious leaders can play in shaping national identity and policy, especially in a country balancing traditionalism with modernity.

Born on January 4, 1933, in Vladikavkaz in Russia's North Caucasus, he began leading the Georgian Orthodox Church in December 1977 at a time when church attendance was low in Soviet Georgia. His leadership spanned over four decades during which he navigated the church through tumultuous times, reflecting the intersection of religion, politics, and society in Georgia. His passing represents a significant moment in the history of the Georgian Orthodox Church and the nation itself, provoking reflection on the future direction of both religious and national identity.