On April 25, 2026, forty days were completed since the passing of Patriarch Ilia II of Georgia. On this occasion, the Locum Tenens of the Patriarchal Throne, Metropolitan Shio Mujiri of Senaki and Chkhorotsku, celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Patriarchal Cathedral of Sioni in Tbilisi, together with hierarchs and other clergy.
Among those attending the service, along with a large number of faithful, were the President of Georgia, Mikheil Kavelashvili, the Prime Minister, Irakli Kobakhidze, and the Speaker of Parliament Shalva Papuashvili, as well as representatives of the legislative and executive authorities.
Following the Divine Liturgy, a memorial service (Panikhida) was held for the repose of the soul of the Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia II.
At the conclusion of the service, Metropolitan Shio Mujiri, Locum Tenens of the Patriarchal Throne, addressed the faithful with a homily. Specifically, he emphasized that the “profound and solemn silence” following the Patriarch’s passing revealed reverence, love, and even “spiritual renewal and uplift” among the faithful.
According to him, Ilia II was shown as a true shepherd, who led his flock to God and guided the nation “as Moses led his people out of spiritual captivity.”
Quoting the Apostle Paul, the Metropolitan underlined that the late Patriarch embodied the words: “It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me,” adding that “in his life, his ministry, and his very person, the Lord Jesus Christ was living.” He stressed that this spiritual legacy was reflected in the continuous flow of people to the Patriarch’s grave, expressing love and gratitude.
Metropolitan Shio expressed the firm belief that the soul of the late Patriarch abides with the Lord and that he will continue to intercede for the people, guiding them to follow his path—one founded on love for the Church, God, the homeland, and one’s neighbor, as well as on peace, unity, forgiveness, and compassion.
Concluding, he gave thanks to God for granting such a spiritual leader during difficult decades and called for strength, unity, and blessing upon Georgia, proclaiming: “Christ is Risen!”
Photos: Nino Sozashvili
