Patriarch Ilia II of Georgia was commemorated on Wednesday, nine days after his repose, during a memorial service at the Patriarchal Sioni Cathedral in Tbilisi.
The service was officiated by Metropolitan Shio of Senaki and Chkhorotsku, together with members of the Holy Synod of the Georgian Orthodox Church, in the presence of Georgia’s president, prime minister, parliamentary speaker and representatives of the legislative and executive authorities.
The commemoration carried particular significance as it coincided with the anniversary of a key moment in the history of the Georgian Church—the restoration of its autocephaly in 1917, later recognised in 1990 on the Sunday of Orthodoxy.
Role of Patriarch Ilia II
In his homily, Metropolitan Shio highlighted the decisive role of Patriarch Ilia II in securing recognition of the Church’s autocephaly.
“This great work was accomplished by His Beatitude, who, after many years of effort and through his great authority, presented in Constantinople in 1990 the documents for the recognition and confirmation of the autocephaly and patriarchal status that had existed in our Church since ancient times,” he said.
“It can be said that Patriarch Ilia II crowned the work and struggle of our forebears for the attainment of autocephaly,” the metropolitan added.
According to Georgian media, Patriarch Ilia II sought recognition of the continuity of the Georgian Church as a historic Patriarchate, rather than as a newly established one. The official documents issued by the Ecumenical Patriarch were brought by the Primate of the Georgian Church to Sioni Cathedral, where his tomb is now located.
Nationwide Mourning
Metropolitan Shio also spoke about the period of mourning following the Patriarch’s repose.
“These are the most difficult days for us, yet we know that when a holy and righteous person departs to the Lord, this is accompanied by spiritual consolation and joy,” he said.
“We witnessed a true miracle: all of Georgia rose and came to the tomb of His Beatitude to express honour, gratitude and love.”
He added that the unity and love shown by the Georgian people during these days “give us great spiritual strength, consolation and hope to endure this difficult time”.
Restoration of Georgian Church Autocephaly
On 25 March 1917, the Georgian Church proclaimed its autocephaly from the Moscow Patriarchate, after the Russian Empire had abolished it by decree in 1811. The restoration became possible amid the empire’s imminent collapse.
Official recognition by other Orthodox Churches came only in 1990, due to the complex political situation in Georgia. The Georgian state, which became independent in 1917, existed until 1921, when it was occupied by the Soviet Union.
Georgians continue to visit the tomb of Patriarch Ilia II, who is commemorated daily for 40 days at Sioni Cathedral in Tbilisi.
Photo: Church of Georgia / Nino Sozashvili
