Georgian patriarch offers condolences over Turkey’s devastating quake

Georgian patriarch Ilia II on Monday sent his condolences over the devastating quake in Turkey, killing more than 1,000 in the country and over 500 in its neighboring Syria earlier today.  

“The world was shaken by the devastating earthquake. A citizen of Georgia also died in the disaster. On behalf of the Orthodox Church of Georgia and myself, I express great sadness over the tragedy. Please accept our heartfelt sympathy and condolences to the bereaved families.

I wish the country peace, courage, recovery of the injured and timely improvements to the situation”, said the top cleric. 

Georgia has sent 60 rescuers and accompanying hardware to ensure its aid to Turkey in ongoing search and rescue operations.