Patr. Ilia II Laid to Rest in Historic Tbilisi Ceremony

The farewell of Patr. Ilia II at the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Tbilisi. Photo: Mariam Nikuradze/OC Media

TBILISI, GEORGIA — On Sunday, March 22, the funeral of Patr. Ilia II was held at the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Tbilisi, drawing primates and hierarchs from across the Orthodox world, along with thousands of the faithful and Georgia’s full state and political leadership. Before the funeral, a Divine Liturgy was celebrated by the Locum Tenens, Metr. Shio, with other Georgian hierarchs, marking the beginning of a day of mourning and remembrance.

Among the international delegations, Metr. Tikhon and Bp. Vasily attended on behalf of the Orthodox Church in America (OCA). A delegation of the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC), led by Metr. Serhiy of Ternopil and Kremenets, performed a litya near the coffin and conveyed the condolences of Metr. Onufriy of Kyiv and All Ukraine to the Georgian faithful. Metr. Longin of the UOC also attended, participating in the litya at the casket and paying final respects. Other Orthodox hierarchs present included Patr. Daniel of Bulgaria, Abp. John of Albania, and His Beatitude Rastislav of Prešov and the Czech Lands and Slovakia, among many others. Bp. Saba of the Georgian Diocese of North America, who welcomed the OCA delegation, has been at the cathedral praying and mourning for the beloved Patriarch for several days.

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew presided over the funeral service, offering a homily in which he described Ilia II as “one of the most venerable, wise, and distinguished primates of the Orthodox East” and proclaiming: “Rejoice, for now your father, Patriarch Ilia, glorified in the land of the living, is far more powerful than when he dwelt among you. And standing before the Throne of God, he is more helpful and beneficent for you." 

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew with Metr. Serhiy of the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church. Photo: UOC

The service concluded with a solemn procession to Sioni Cathedral, where Patr. Ilia II was laid to rest according to his wishes, attended by thousands of clergy, hierarchs, and faithful who gathered in person to pay their final respects and participate in the burial rites.

Previously, the UOJ reported that Metr. Tikhon and Bp. Vasily attended the funeral of Patr. Ilia II.

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