Georgia declares March 18 day of mourning for Patriarch Ilia II
Flags were lowered outside the government palace during the day of mourning. Photo: UOJ Georgia
On March 18, 2026, Georgia declared a nationwide day of mourning following the death of Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia Ilia II. According to a government decree, state flags were lowered to half-mast today on all administrative buildings throughout the country, reports Union of Orthodox Journalists in Georgia.
The primate of the Georgian Church died at age 93. According to available reports, he was rushed late on March 17 to the Caucasus Medical Center after suffering severe gastric bleeding. Doctors placed the hierarch in intensive care and put him on mechanical ventilation for several hours. Despite intensive medical treatment, he could not be saved.
Believers across Georgia are mourning the loss of a church leader widely seen as a symbol of national unity. Patriarch Ilia led the Georgian Orthodox Church for decades and played a central role in the revival of Orthodoxy in the country.
As the UOJ reported, in the coming days, the Georgian Orthodox Church is expected to begin preparations for the election of a new Catholicos-Patriarch.
Read also
UOC Hierarch Condemns Polyakova's Blasphemous Video Clip
The vicar of the Odessa diocese called on believers not to remain silent in the face of sacrilege and to openly witness their faith.
In Ukraine, a draft law on alternative service based on religious beliefs is being prepared
The Ministry of Economy has prepared a bill on service for believers who refuse to bear arms.
Metropolitan Longin thanked Groza for choosing a UOC church for the baptism
Archbishop of the UOC addressed the artist with words of support, reminding that the question of faith is a personal choice of each person.
The Primate of the Polish Church supported the brethren of the Sviatohirsk Lavra
Metropolitan Sava called on monks to courageously pass through the "days of Golgotha" for the sake of the coming Resurrection.
On Rivne Region, a UOC priest was awarded an order for his son who died in the war
Archpriest Alexander Maksimyuk received a state award posthumously granted to his warrior son who saved his brother-in-arms.
OCU "hierarch": Victory will come when we destroy UOC, this cancerous tumor
Serhiy Horobtsov called the UOC an “enemy” and a “cancerous tumor.”