World News for Students of English

24-03-2026 07:00

The leader of the Georgian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Ilia II, died at the age of 93. He led this powerful institution for nearly fifty years and was a very important figure in his country.

He became the leader in 1977 when Georgia was still part of the Soviet Union. During that time, the state restricted religious practices, but he helped the church grow and have more influence. Ilia II was highly respected because he helped keep the country stable during difficult political times. He often acted as a mediator between different groups to prevent conflict. The church announced that he died in a hospital after a serious illness.

A new leader will be elected within the next two months to take his place. Under his leadership, the Georgian church became very close to the state and became more important in public life. His death is a huge loss for the Orthodox Church and for the people of Georgia, who saw him as a spiritual father.

Difficult words: restrict (to put a limit on what someone is allowed to do), practice (doing something regularly, like a religion or a hobby, to keep it part of your life), mediator (a person who helps two groups to reach an agreement).

You can watch the video news lower on this page.