{"id":563074,"date":"2026-03-19T10:58:56","date_gmt":"2026-03-19T08:58:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/basilica.ro\/?p=563074"},"modified":"2026-03-19T10:59:51","modified_gmt":"2026-03-19T08:59:51","slug":"patriarch-ilia-ii-funeral-tbilisi-georgia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/basilica.ro\/en\/patriarch-ilia-ii-funeral-tbilisi-georgia\/","title":{"rendered":"Georgia to bury Patriarch Ilia II on March 22 at Sioni Cathedral in Tbilisi"},"content":{"rendered":"

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<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The decision was presented by Metropolitan Jobi of Urbnisi and Ruisi, who described the late patriarch as \u201can epochal figure\u201d with immeasurable contributions to the nation, both spiritually and materially.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Patriarch will be laid to rest on Sunday in the Sioni Cathedral at the Patriarch\u2019s 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,\u201d he said.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\u201cHe was a patriarch of love. There is no person, especially no Christian, who does not love His Holiness,\u201d the metropolitan said.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

His body was carried in procession from the Patriarchal Residence to Sameba Cathedral in Tbilisi, where the faithful may pay their final respects.<\/p>\n

The Government of Georgia has also convened<\/a> to organise the funeral arrangements. National mourning, declared on Wednesday, will continue until 22 March.<\/p>\n

Patriarch Ilia II died<\/a> on Tuesday, 17 March 2026, at the age of 93.<\/p>\n