Flags at half-mast marked a solemn occasion as crowds gathered at Holy Trinity Cathedral in Georgia, offering a final farewell to patriarch. Catholicos-Patriarch of Georgia Ilia II, who died in hospital on March 17th, 2026 at 93, passed away after leading the Georgian Orthodox Church for 48 years. A period of national mourning has been declared in Georgia, with his funeral scheduled for March 22nd.
The patriarch will be buried in Sioni Cathedral, a traditional resting place for Georgian church leaders. Despite prior plans for interment at Holy Trinity Cathedral, Ilia II’s wishes determined his final resting place. The cathedral remains open around the clock, accommodating the continuous flow of mourners.
Access will be restricted to ticket holders on the day of the service, which begins at 09:00. Metropolitan Shio will preside over the service alongside church officials. A civil memorial service has already taken place.
Thousands of godchildren, baptised through Ilia II’s innovative mass baptism program initiated in 2008, held a procession from Avlabari to Holy Trinity Cathedral. This initiative, involving Ilia II as godfather to many Georgian families, highlights his widespread influence. Public transport in Tbilisi has been adjusted, with the metro operating until 02:00 during the mourning period and offering free rides on March 21st and 22nd.
The Avlabari metro station is particularly busy. The Holy Synod and Expanded Council of the Georgian Church will elect a new patriarch within 40 days, no later than two months. Additional transport services have been arranged for those travelling to Tbilisi.
Mourning bells will ring across Georgia’s churches and monasteries on March 21st and 22nd. Ilia II, born Irakli Shiolashvili, was a pivotal figure, shaping the Georgian Orthodox Church’s transformation over half a century. His legacy, though complex, is marked by his efforts to restore the Church’s influence and his role in securing its autocephaly.
The 2002 concordat remains a subject of debate, reflecting the patriarch’s impact on georgia’s social and political landscape.
Topics: #georgia #patriarch #farewell
Flags were lowered to half-mast, signifying a deeply respectful atmosphere as mourners assembled at Holy Trinity Cathedral. The nation of Georgia paid tribute to its patriarch with a final farewell. C