Patriarch Ilia II, who led Georgia’s Orthodox Church for nearly half a century, was laid to rest on March 22 at Sioni Cathedral in Tbilisi following an enormous funeral procession that drew thousands of people. The burial came after the funeral service at Holy Trinity Cathedral, where the late patriarch’s body had lain in repose since March 18. Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople and Georgia’s Patriarchal Locum Tenens Shio Mujiri performed the funeral service together with members of the Holy Synod. Top Georgian Dream officials, including Honorary Chairman Bidzina Ivanishvili, attended and addressed the congregation. The burial at Sioni began at 17:00 local time, but it was closed to media coverage.
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Below are live updates and key highlights from Sunday, March 22, the funeral day of Patriarch Ilia II:
17:00 – TV and Recordings Stopped as Burial Begins
A member of the clergy announced that TV broadcasting would be stopped and asked everyone inside the cathedral to stop recording the service as the burial began.
16:50 – Final Farewell for Patriarch Ilia II
Members of the Holy Synod and senior Georgian Dream officials with their family members bid farewell to Patriarch Ilia II at the final bier as the hymn Kyrie eleison, written by the patriarch himself, is sung in the background.
16:40 – Locum Tenens, Most Senior Bishop Speak at Sioni Cathedral
Before the burial begins at Sioni Cathedral, Patriarchal Locum Tenens Shio Mujiri speaks about Patriarch Ilia II: “His connection to this cathedral is unique, as we all know. It is here that his 49-year patriarchate began…Many of the ideas conceived in this cathedral are later brought to life by His Holiness and Beatitude, bringing great benefit to our country and the church.”
He then gave the floor to the most senior bishop by seniority, Anania (Japaridze), Metropolitan of Manglisi and Tetri Tsqaro. “For almost half a century, I had the privilege of being his disciple and later a fellow bishop. He was highly determined and achieved many successes through actions that were built on carefully planned strategies,” he said, adding, “His Holiness took over a weakened church 49 years ago, and today we see it strengthened as a result of his leadership.”
16:20 – Patriarch Ilia II Laid to Rest in Sioni Cathedral
Patriarch Ilia II has been laid to rest inside Sioni Cathedral in a specially prepared grave beside the altar. Only a limited number of people, including senior clergy and officials, are inside the cathedral, while thousands remain outside to pay their respects as the funeral procession concludes.
The body of Patriarch Ilia II is laid in a coffin at Sioni Cathedral; Photo: Photo: screengrab from public broadcaster livestream
16:10 – Russian Delegation Extended Putin’s Condolences at Patriarch Ilia II Funeral
The Russian Interests Section at the Swiss Embassy in Georgia said the Russian delegation conveyed “words of condolence and support” from President Vladimir Putin to Georgian Patriarchal Locum Tenens Shio Mujiri. The Telegram statement also confirmed an earlier report by RFE/RL that Putin’s special representative for international cultural cooperation, Mikhail Shvydkoy, was among the delegation.
15:50 – Procession Nears Sioni Cathedral
The funeral procession is nearing Sioni Cathedral, where Patriarch Ilia II will be laid to rest. The cathedral is also the burial site of all eight Georgian Patriarchs since the church regained its autocephaly in 1917.
The funeral procession of Patriarch Ilia II proceeds toward Sioni Cathedral in Tbilisi, March 22, 2026; Photo: Nini Gabritchidze/Civil.ge
The funeral procession of Patriarch Ilia II proceeds toward Sioni Cathedral in Tbilisi, March 22, 2026; Photo: Nini Gabritchidze/Civil.ge
Georgian Dream Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze walks among the crowd during the funeral procession of Patriarch Ilia II, March 22, 2026; Photo: Nini Gabritchidze/Civil.ge
14:40 – Funeral Procession Starts
The body of Patriarch Ilia II was brought out of Holy Trinity Cathedral as the funeral procession began toward Sioni Cathedral in downtown Tbilisi. Thousands of people are observing the procession. Large screens have been set up along the route to broadcast it. The army formed a human chain and corridor along the two-kilometer route for the procession. Photos by Nini Gabritchidze/Civil.ge
14:20 – Georgian Dream Leaders Deliver Speeches
Senior Georgian Dream leaders, including President Mikheil Kavelashvili, Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, and GD Honorary Chairman Bidzina Ivanishvili, also spoke at the service. Below are key takeaways from their speeches:
“Today, here in this magnificent cathedral, a symbol of our national revival, the strength and enduring spirit of our people, Georgia bows before the immortal soul of its patriarch, His Holiness and Beatitude Ilia II. Today we face an era we can boldly call ‘the patriarch’s Georgia,’” said Mikheil Kavelashvili.
“His Holiness and Beatitude gave each person their proper place, but he taught us the most important lesson: freedom, equality, and all other values lose their meaning if they are not rooted in the highest value – love. We had a patriarch of love, tireless in his preaching,” said Shalva Papuashvili
“Today, a great era comes to an end. We bid farewell to our beloved patriarch, our spiritual father, who dedicated his entire life to serving his homeland and the Mother Church,” said Irakli Kobakhidze.
“Like all Georgians, I carry in my heart a deep pain and love that needs no explanation, because it is shared by all of us. Today, young and old alike, in silence or with spoken words, we seek to honor the man who has left an indelible mark on each of our hearts,” said Bidzina Ivanishvili.
14:00 – Funeral Service Concludes As Leaders Honor Patriarch Ilia II’s Legacy
The funeral service, led by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople alongside Georgian Patriarchal Locum Tenens Shio Mujiri and other Holy Synod members, has concluded. Bartholomew and Metropolitan Shio then addressed the congregation, reflecting on Patriarch Ilia II’s legacy.
“All of Georgia mourns – our people and our Church – as we bid farewell to our beloved spiritual father and leader, His Holiness and Beatitude Ilia, Catholicos-Patriarch of all Georgia, Archbishop of Mtskheta-Tbilisi, and Metropolitan of Bichvinta and Tskhum-Abkhazia,” Metropolitan Shio said.
“It is unlikely that any of the worthy catholicoi of the past so closely linked their name with Georgia, the Church, unity, statehood, and peace in the Caucasus region as the late, blessed Patriarch Ilia II did,” Patriarch Bartholomew said in his speech.
13:15 – RFE/RL: Putin’s Cultural Envoy Attends Patriarch Ilia II’s Funeral Service
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty’s Georgian Service reports, citing a livestream from the Holy Trinity Cathedral, that former Russian Culture Minister (2000–2004) and current Special Presidential Envoy for International Cultural Cooperation, Mikhail Shvydkoi, is among those present. Shvydkoy has visited Georgia several times, including in 2008, when he met with Patriarch Ilia II in Tbilisi.
Army Forms Corridor for Patriarch Ilia II’s Funeral Procession
Members of the Georgian Army are standing in a human chain along the road to Sioni Cathedral, forming a corridor for the transfer of Patriarch Ilia II’s body from the Holy Trinity Cathedral. Source: Ministry of Defense of Georgia/Facebook
A large banner on Nikoloz Baratashvili Bridge reads, “God, Homeland, Human, Ilia II,” along the planned funeral procession route to Sioni Cathedral in Tbilisi’s Old Town.
12:25 – Orthodox Leaders at Patriarch Ilia II’s Funeral
Several Orthodox Church leaders are attending Patriarch Ilia II’s funeral service at the Holy Trinity Cathedral, including Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople, Patriarch Daniil of Bulgaria, Archbishop Joani of Albania, Metropolitan Rastislav of Prešov (Czech and Slovak Orthodox Church), and Metropolitan Tikhon of Washington. Patriarchal Exarch of Belarus, who is leading the Russian Orthodox Church delegation, is also attending the service inside the cathedral.
A Vatican delegation of Catholic clergy is also present at the Holy Trinity Cathedral.
12:10 — Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I Arrives at Holy Trinity Cathedral
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople, the spiritual leader of Orthodox Christians worldwide, has arrived at the Holy Trinity Cathedral to take part in performing the funeral service, less than an hour after arriving in Tbilisi.
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew at Holy Trinity Cathedral during Patriarch Ilia II’s funeral. Photo: screengrab from public broadcaster livestream.
Georgian Patriarchal Locum Tenens Shio Mujiri (left) and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople performing late Patriarch Ilia II’s funeral service at the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Tbilisi, March 22, 2026; Photo: screengrab from public broadcaster livestream.
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew arrives at Tbilisi International Airport; Photo: Nikos Papachristou/Ecumenical Patriarchate
12:00 – Diplomats, Officials Arrive
Representatives of accredited diplomatic missions in Georgia have arrived at the Holy Trinity Cathedral. Reportedly, among them are the ambassadors of the European Union, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Israel.
Armenian President Vahagn Khachaturian and Azerbaijan’s National Assembly Speaker Sahiba Gafarova have also reportedly arrived at the cathedral.
11:45 – Bidzina Ivanishvili Arrives at Cathedral
Georgian Dream Honorary Chairman Bidzina Ivanishvili, accompanied by his wife Ekaterine Khvedelidze and son Tsotne Ivanishvili, has arrived at the Holy Trinity Cathedral.
Bidzina Ivanishvili (right) and Ekaterine Khvedelidze (left) at Holy Trinity Cathedral during Patriarch Ilia II’s funeral. Photo: screengrab from public broadcaster livestream.
11:40 – Azerbaijani Delegation Arrives in Tbilisi
Sahiba Gafarova, Speaker of the National Assembly of Azerbaijan, has arrived at Tbilisi International Airport. She and her delegation were welcomed by Georgia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Khvtisiashvili. The delegation will attend the funeral of Patriarch Ilia II.
11:20 – Tbilisi City Hall Set Special Parking Zones
Tbilisi City Hall announced special parking areas for the funeral procession of Patriarch Ilia II. Cars from eastern Georgia can park at Europe Square, Metekhi Bridge, and the right bank of the Mtkvari River from Krtsanisi Square to Abanotubani, while those from western Georgia can use First Republic Square, Rustaveli Avenue, and Freedom Square.
10:30 – Tabula: Controversial Former Moscow Patriarchate Official in Russian Delegation
Online outlet Tabula reports that the Russian delegation at Patriarch Ilia II’s funeral includes former Moscow Patriarchate official Hilarion Alfeyev, who resigned from his clerical post in 2024 following a scandal over allegations of sexual misconduct. Alfeyev had visited Tbilisi multiple times, including in November 2017, when he met Patriarch Ilia II. Weeks later, Patriarch Ilia II appointed Metropolitan Shio Mujiri as Patriarchal locum tenens.
10:30 – Armenian President Arrives in Tbilisi
Armenian President Vahagn Khachaturian has arrived in Tbilisi. Georgia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Khvtisiashvili and Presidential Administration Head Ketevan Kvinikadze welcomed him at the Tbilisi International Airport. The Armenian President and his delegation will attend the late patriarch’s funeral ceremony.
Georgia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Khvtisiashvili shakes hands with Armenian President Vahagn Khachaturian at Tbilisi International Airport. Source: president.am
09:10 – Orthodox Leaders Arrive
Senior Orthodox clergy from several countries have arrived at the Holy Trinity Cathedral, including Metropolitan Benjamin (Tupieka), Patriarchal Exarch of Belarus, who is leading the Russian Orthodox Church delegation, while Patriarch Kirill of Moscow is not in Georgia.
09:00 – Liturgy Starts
The Sunday liturgy starts at the Holy Trinity Cathedral. Patriarchal Locum Tenens Shio Mujiri leads the service. A limited number of people are inside the cathedral, including senior Georgian Dream leaders, among them Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili, and GD-elected President Mikheil Kavelashvili. People are gathering outside. Head of the Patriarchate’s public relations service, Andria Jaghmaidze, told journalists that a narrow corridor will be set up inside the cathedral so people who were unable to pay their respects to the late patriarch earlier can do so now.
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