ROC to be represented at Patriarch Ilia's funeral by Exarch of Belarus

Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia II of All Georgia and Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia. Photo: News Georgia

On March 20, 2026, it became known that the Russian Orthodox Church will be represented at the funeral of Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia II of All Georgia by the Exarch of All Belarus, Metropolitan Veniamin (Tupeko), who will travel to Tbilisi on the instruction of Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia, reports News Georgia agency.

As noted, the corresponding information is contained in a letter of condolence sent by Metropolitan Veniamin to the Locum Tenens of the Patriarchal Throne of the Georgian Orthodox Church, Metropolitan Shio. In the message, Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia II is called a "faithful laborer in Christ's vineyard," whose name is forever inscribed in the history of the Georgian people.

The Patriarchal Exarch emphasized that the Georgian Primate enjoyed great authority throughout the Orthodox world, and recalled his visit to Belarus in 2013 on the occasion of the 1025th anniversary of the Baptism of Rus.

The funeral of Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia II is scheduled for March 22 in Tbilisi. The Patriarch passed away on March 17 at the age of 93, having led the Georgian Orthodox Church for almost half a century and remaining one of the most authoritative hierarchs of the Orthodox world.

Earlier, the UOJ wrote that Patriarch Bartholomew will arrive in Tbilisi for the funeral of Patriarch Ilia II of Georgia.

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