His Beatitude Patriarch Ilia II of Georgia will be laid to rest on Sunday, 22 March, at the Sioni Cathedral of the Dormition of the Theotokos in Tbilisi, the Georgian Orthodox Church announced.
The decision was presented by Metropolitan Jobi of Urbnisi and Ruisi, who described the late patriarch as “an epochal figure” with immeasurable contributions to the nation, both spiritually and materially.
“The Patriarch will be laid to rest on Sunday in the Sioni Cathedral at the Patriarch’s will, which he left for relatives. Ilia II is an epochal personality; he has immeasurable contributions to the nation and the country, both spiritually and materially,” he said.
“He was a patriarch of love. There is no person, especially no Christian, who does not love His Holiness,” the metropolitan said.
Sioni Cathedral served as the patriarchal cathedral until the inauguration of the Holy Trinity Cathedral (Sameba). Patriarch Ilia II had expressed his wish to be buried there.
His body was carried in procession from the Patriarchal Residence to Sameba Cathedral in Tbilisi, where the faithful may pay their final respects.
The Government of Georgia has also convened to organise the funeral arrangements. National mourning, declared on Wednesday, will continue until 22 March.
Patriarch Ilia II died on Tuesday, 17 March 2026, at the age of 93.
Patriarch Ilia II of Georgia
Under his leadership, the Church expanded its presence and reconnected with the faithful nationwide.
To encourage families to have children, Patriarch Ilia personally baptised tens of thousands of children, specifically, every child born after the first two in Georgian families. For this purpose, families were invited to the cathedral in Tbilisi for the baptismal service.
In 2002, he signed a historic agreement with Georgian President Eduard Shevardnadze, granting the Church a special legal status and recognising its significant role in national life.
Patriarch Ilia II was an honorary member of the Georgian Academy of Sciences (since 2003) and of the International Academy for the Promotion of Scientific Research (since 2007).
Read more: Patriarch Daniel expresses deep sorrow after repose of Georgian Patriarch Ilia II
Photo: Facebook
