TEHRAN (IRNA) -- Grand Ayatollah Fazel Lankarani, a prominent religious Shiite leader in the Islamic Republic of Iran passed away on Saturday.

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei expressed condolence on "great loss" of departure of Grand Ayatollah Mohammad Fazel Lankarani.

"With deep sorrow and grief, I have been informed of the tragic demise of the distinguished religious figure, the late Ayatollah Fazel Lankarani, may God grant his soul eternal peace," read the Supreme Leader's message issued in an hour after the Grand Ayatollah's death.

The Leader said Grand Ayatollah's departure is a "great loss" for seminarians and the noble Iranian nation. "His eminency's departure left the Iranian nation helpless for losing one of their great scientific and revolutionary personality."

The Leader lauded the late Ayatollah's brilliant works and endeavors in the pre- and post-1979 Islamic Revolution era, expressing condolence to religious figures, ulema and Iranian nation and wished them patience.

Ayatollah Lankarani, 76, had in a message just two days ago condemned bombing of the holy shrine of al-Askari in Samarra, Iraq.