His Holiness and Beatitude Ilia II, Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, has been transferred to the Sioni Patriarchal Cathedral following a solemn funeral procession from the Holy Trinity (Sameba) Cathedral in Tbilisi.
The procession moved through the capital accompanied by a large number of clergy, state officials, and faithful, as the nation bid farewell to its long-serving spiritual leader.
Along the entire route from Sameba to Sioni Cathedral, a ceremonial corridor formed by members of the military was arranged. At the same time, a “live corridor” of citizens lined the streets, allowing thousands to pay their final respects to the Patriarch.
Believers from across Georgia gathered in Tbilisi to attend the funeral, while numerous international delegations also arrived in the capital. Among those present were the President of Armenia, Vahagn Khachaturyan, the Chairperson of the Milli Majlis of Azerbaijan, Sahiba Gafarova, as well as delegations from the Vatican, the Russian Orthodox Church, and representatives of various religious confessions.
The ceremony was also attended by members of the Georgian government alongside foreign dignitaries.
Prior to the transfer, the Divine Liturgy at the Holy Trinity Cathedral began at 09:00 and was conducted by the Locum Tenens of the Patriarchal Throne, Metropolitan Shio (Mujiri) of Senaki and Chkhorotsku, together with members of the Holy Synod of the Georgian Orthodox Church.
The funeral service for the Blessed Patriarch was led by His All-Holiness Bartholomew I, Archbishop of Constantinople – New Rome and Ecumenical Patriarch, in concelebration with Metropolitan Shio and members of the Holy Synod.
Thousands of faithful gathered in the courtyard of Sameba Cathedral, where the service was broadcast on large screens installed outside.
A memorial service will be held at Sioni Cathedral before the burial, after which Ilia II will be laid to rest on the left side of the altar.
The Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, Ilia II, passed away at the age of 93. A period of national mourning has been declared in Georgia, and over the past days, thousands of citizens attended public memorial services held at the Holy Trinity Cathedral.
