Metropolitan Longin arrives in Tbilisi for funeral service of Patriarch Ilia

Metropolitan Longin at the coffin of the late Patriarch Ilia II. Photo: UOJ

On March 21, 2026, hierarch of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church Metropolitan Longin of Bancheny arrived in Georgia to bid farewell to Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia II at the Holy Trinity Cathedral.

Metropolitan Longin expressed condolences on the death of the Primate of the Georgian Church on the Bancheny Monastery's Facebook page. The vicar of the Chernivtsi Eparchy reported that he received the news of the First Hierarch's repose with "deep sorrow and sincere pain in his heart."

The bishop emphasized that the death of Patriarch Ilia II became a great loss not only for the Georgian people but also for the entire Orthodox world. According to the metropolitan: "His many years of archpastoral service became a bright example of faith, humility, wisdom and boundless love for God and neighbors." The bishop also asked the Lord to grant rest to the soul of the departed in the abodes of the righteous and to give strength to believers to bear this heavy loss.

Earlier, the UOJ wrote that the Synod of the Georgian Church held a session in connection with the repose of the Primate.

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