Farewell to Patriarch Ilia II took place in Tbilisi: the funeral rite was presided over by Patriarch Bartholomew

On Sunday, March 22, 2026, the solemn funeral service of the newly deceased Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia Ilia II took place at the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Tbilisi. The funeral service was led by His Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew with the participation of the hierarchs of the Georgian Orthodox Church, heads of local churches and top state officials.

According to Orthodoxia News Agency, in his eulogy Patriarch Bartholomew emphasized the greatness of the deceased Primate’s life path, calling him a «wise helmsman» who led the Georgian Church through trials for almost fifty years. The head of the Phanar noted that Ilia II became a symbol of unity of the nation, combining his talents as a spiritual leader, reconciler and artist — icon painter and composer.

During the sermon, special mention was made of the historic event of March 1990, when, under the leadership of Ilia II, the Georgian Church received official canonical recognition of its autocephaly and patriarchal dignity from the See of Constantinople. «God honored him to lead the Church of Georgia out of the dark period of communist atheism to the light of independence and free religious existence,» Patriarch Bartholomew emphasized, noting the deceased’s extensive work in restoring monasteries, developing theology and strengthening social charity.

The funeral ceremony was attended by Patriarch Daniel of Bulgaria, Archbishop John of Albania, Archbishop Rastislav of the Czech Lands and Slovakia, as well as delegations of other Orthodox Churches and representatives of the Roman Catholic Church. The state authorities of Georgia were represented at the farewell by the President of the Republic, the Prime Minister, the Speaker of the Parliament and the Mayor of Tbilisi. Concluding his speech, Patriarch Bartholomew urged the faithful to keep the instructions of his spiritual father, noting that the best memory of him would be to follow his teachings in the spirit of peace and Christian love.