“Perhaps, among the worthy Catholicos of the past, no one has so closely identified his name with Georgia, the Church, the nation, statehood, and the role of peacemaker in the Caucasus region as the blessed and enlightened Patriarch Ilia II,” said His All-Holiness Bartholomew I, Archbishop of Constantinople – New Rome and Ecumenical Patriarch, during the funeral ceremony at the Holy Trinity (Sameba) Cathedral in Tbilisi.
Addressing clergy, state officials, and thousands of mourners gathered in the cathedral, the Ecumenical Patriarch emphasized that Ilia II’s legacy is uniquely intertwined with the spiritual and national life of Georgia.
In his address, Bartholomew I described the late Patriarch as a figure of exceptional moral authority and devotion, whose life embodied service to both God and the people.
“The Holy Church of Georgia has lost a wise and God-honoring leader who shepherded the faithful for half a century. The state has lost a prudent advisor, a devoted envoy of peace and unity. The Georgian nation has lost a loving father, who remained vigilant until his final breath for the spiritual and social well-being of his people,” he stated.
The Ecumenical Patriarch noted that Ilia II stood as a unifying force during critical periods in Georgia’s modern history, highlighting his role not only as a religious leader but also as a peacemaker in the wider Caucasus region.
He further underscored that the legacy of the Catholicos-Patriarch is inseparable from the identity of Georgia itself, describing him as “a true pillar of strength for both the Church and the homeland,” who shared love, devotion, and care equally with all.
“Be encouraged, brothers and children; your Patriarch and father has not died but sleeps. It is rightly said of Patriarch Ilia: ‘The dead are alive,’ for the righteous dead live on,” added His All-Holiness Bartholomew I.
The Ecumenical Patriarch called on the faithful not to surrender to grief, but instead to honor the spiritual legacy of the late Patriarch by preserving and following his teachings.
“He lives where there is uncreated light and blessed vision—everything that is holy and unseen. He abides in the all-luminous Kingdom of the Holy Trinity,” Bartholomew I said, describing the Patriarch’s eternal life in theological terms deeply rooted in Orthodox tradition.
In his address, the Ecumenical Patriarch emphasized that Ilia II now stands among the saints of Georgia, including Saint Nino, Saint Ketevan, the 100,000 Martyrs of Tbilisi, and other revered figures, presenting him as part of the nation’s sacred spiritual continuum.
He further encouraged the Georgian people to transform their sorrow into faith and continuity, stressing that the greatest tribute to the Patriarch would be to uphold his guidance and moral teachings.
“Reverently preserve and follow his advice and teachings—that will be his best memorial,” he stated.
Bartholomew I also expressed the belief that Ilia II, now in the presence of God, continues to intercede for his people, offering them spiritual strength and blessings even beyond his earthly life.
Concluding his address, the Ecumenical Patriarch delivered a message that blended mourning with hope, calling on the faithful to proclaim with joy: “Christ is Risen! To Him be all glory, honor, worship, and thanksgiving. Amen.”
The funeral ceremony for His Holiness and Beatitude Ilia II is taking place at Sameba Cathedral, with the participation of high-ranking clergy from across the Orthodox world, state leaders, and representatives of the diplomatic corps.
The Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, Ilia II, passed away at the age of 93. A nationwide day of mourning has been declared in Georgia. He will be laid to rest today, March 22, at the Sioni Cathedral in Tbilisi.
