Now known whether Pat Bartholomew will serve Liturgy before Ilia’s funeral

Archimandrite Iovane Mchedlishvili. Photo: UOJ-Georgia

Preparations for the burial of Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia Ilia II are continuing in the Georgian Orthodox Church, Archimandrite Iovane Mchedlishvili told journalists, UOJ-Georgia reports.

According to him, the memorial service will begin on Sunday at 9:00 a.m. The Divine Liturgy will be led by Metropolitan Shio, locum tenens of the patriarchal throne, concelebrating with other hierarchs.

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew is expected to arrive in Tbilisi at about 11:00 a.m., and will be welcomed at the church at noon. He will take part in the funeral service for Patriarch Ilia together with the hierarchs, after which he is expected to deliver remarks about the departed primate.

The Patriarch’s coffin will then be taken to Sioni Cathedral, where the burial will take place. Clergy participation in the service will be limited, with entry allowed only by special pass.

Earlier reports said that the Russian Church would be represented at Patriarch Ilia’s funeral by the Exarch of Belarus.

Read also