Ecumenical Patriarch to Preside Over Patr. Ilia II’s Funeral in Tbilisi

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TBILISI, GEORGIA — Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew will attend the funeral of Patr. Ilia II of Georgia, who passed away on March 17 at the age of 93. Sources from the Phanar confirmed that the Ecumenical Patriarch will preside over the funeral service, while the Georgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs first verified the information to Channel One of the Georgian Public Broadcaster.

A memorial service was recently held at the Patriarchal Cathedral of St. George in Istanbul, during which Patr. Bartholomew sent a letter of condolences to the Holy Synod of the Georgian Church, expressing deep sorrow at the loss of the revered leader. Patr. Ilia II’s body was transferred on March 18 to the Patriarchal Cathedral of the Holy Trinity for public veneration, where large numbers of faithful have come to pay respects.

The Moscow Patriarchate will be represented at Patr. Ilia II’s funeral by Metr. Benjamin of Belarus, acting on behalf of Patr. Kirill. In a condolence letter, Metr. Benjamin praised Ilia II as a devoted servant of Christ, honored his influence across the Orthodox world, and recalled his 2013 visit to Belarus.

This comes after hopes that the attendance of both Patr. Bartholomew and Patr. Kirill at the funeral of a beloved figure could lead to the eventual healing of the break in communion between Moscow and Constantinople.

Political and religious leaders, including Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, Speaker of Parliament Shalva Papuashvili, and Mayor Kakha Kaladze, joined citizens in honoring the Georgian Patriarch’s decades of service. The cathedral will remain open 24 hours daily until the funeral on Sunday, March 22, which is expected to attract Orthodox delegations worldwide.

Previously, the UOJ reported that thousands processed through Tbilisi for Patr Ilia II.

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