An extraordinary session of the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Church of Georgia will be convened on March 18, 2026, at 14:00, following the repose of Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia Ilia II.
During the session, the details of the funeral service of the late Patriarch will be determined and will be announced at a later time.
Upon the conclusion of the Synod meeting, the body of the late Patriarch will be transferred from the Patriarchal Residence to the Holy Trinity Cathedral.
According to Archpriest Andria Jaghmaidze, Head of the Public Relations Service of the Georgian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Ilia II will lie in state at the Holy Trinity Cathedral.
Fr. Jaghmaidze also confirmed that the memorial requiem services for the late Patriarch will be held at the same cathedral.
National Mourning in Georgia
The government has officially announced that Georgia will observe a period of national mourning following the passing of Patriarch Ilia II of Georgia.
According to the government’s decree, the mourning period will be observed throughout the country as a mark of respect for the late head of the Georgian Orthodox Church, who faithfully served the nation in spiritual and social matters.
During this time, national flags on all public and administrative buildings will fly at half-staff.
“The loss of Patriarch Ilia is incalculable for all of Orthodoxy”
With deep emotion and spiritual weight, Metropolitan Shio of Senaki and Chkhorotsku (Mujiri), Locum Tenens of the Patriarchal Throne, spoke about the passing of Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia II of All Georgia.
He stated, “Patriarch Ilia II has fallen asleep in the Lord. He was a man of an entire era, and his loss is incalculable for the entire Orthodox Church.” The Metropolitan also offered his heartfelt condolences to the Georgian people, the Church, and the global Christian community.
The Metropolitan emphasized that it is difficult to convey the magnitude of the Patriarch’s personality in a few words. He remarked, “Through him and his labors, God restored our country, Georgia, to the true Orthodox faith.”
The Metropolitan highlighted the Patriarch’s multifaceted work, noting that he was “a builder of the Church, both literally and spiritually,” and spoke of the profound grief felt by the Georgian people upon hearing of his passing.
Despite the sorrow, he said, “When such great souls depart from us, we also find comfort in the knowledge that we have gained a heavenly intercessor.” He stressed that the Patriarch was and will remain a spiritual father to all.
“He shaped us, and we are his children,” he said, expressing his conviction that the Patriarch’s prayers and protection will continue to strengthen the Georgian people and state.
