Patriarch Ilia's funeral: online broadcast

The Trinity Cathedral in Tbilisi. Photo: UOJ

On March 22, 2026, the Orthodox world bids farewell in Tbilisi to His Holiness Patriarch-Catholicos Ilia II of the Georgian Church. The Union of Orthodox Journalists presents an online broadcast of the events.

The Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi.

10.12. Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew has arrived for the funeral service of Patriarch Ilia II.

10.04. Present at the ceremony are Bulgarian Patriarch Daniel, Albanian Archbishop John, Primate of the Church of the Czech Lands and Slovakia Rostislav, and Primate of the Orthodox Church in America Tikhon. Divine service continues uninterrupted in the church: choir singing resounds, clergy take turns at the coffin, incensing is performed. The flow of believers does not cease – thousands of people come to pay their last respects to the reposed Patriarch.

9.53. Catholic hierarchs and clergy are present at the funeral service of Patriarch Ilia II.

9.08. Footage from the memorial liturgy during the funeral service of Patriarch Ilia II.

8.58. Metropolitan Longin of Bancheny at the funeral service of Patriarch Ilia II.

8.34. An honor guard in national uniform is lined up along the aisle in the cathedral, participating in the farewell ceremony for Patriarch Ilia II.

8.23. The memorial divine service continues in the Holy Trinity Cathedral.

7:40. Thousands of Georgians have gathered in front of the cathedral, praying and listening to the broadcast.

7.25. The beginning of the Liturgy. It is led by Patriarchal Locum Tenens Metropolitan Shio. On both sides of Patriarch Ilia's coffin stand about 30-40 hierarchs from the Georgian Church and other Local Churches.

7:22. Priests are preparing for the Liturgy.

Patriarch Ilia II reposed in the Lord on March 17, 2026, at the age of 93.

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