Georgian Parliament Speaker: The Patriarch united people around the Church
Chairman of the Parliament of Georgia Shalva Papuashvili. Photo: 1tv.ge
On March 22, 2026, Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili delivered a speech at the burial ceremony of Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia II at the Holy Trinity Cathedral. The politician said that the Primate’s greatest dream was to see his people united in the Church of Christ. This was reported by a Georgian media outlet.
Papuashvili said that Ilia II had accomplished what seemed impossible. According to the speaker, as a Christian he fulfilled the law of Christ, as a monk he preserved his vow, and as Patriarch he carried through the decades the heaviest cross of his nation. The head of parliament stressed that although the Primate’s earthly path has come to an end, his love for his flock has remained unchanged, and today the whole people responds to him with the same gratitude.
The story of Ilia II’s life does not end here. In Papuashvili’s view, the Primate’s legacy will be continued by the next generation – his many godchildren and spiritual children, who will carry his blessing into the future. The politician called the Patriarch a bridge between eras who succeeded in firmly binding the Georgian nation together. He concluded his remarks with the words of prayer, “Great are You, O Lord, and wondrous are Your works,” and expressed hope that Ilia II’s intercession would protect all of Georgia.
The UOJ is conducting a live online broadcast of the events.
Read also
SBU names UOC priest’s wife a suspect in Cherkasy region
The SBU accused Matushka Kateryna Prykotenko of “spreading enemy propaganda” through correspondence with parishioners.
UGCC cleric calls Russian Orthodox literature dangerous for clergy
While examining the causes of divisions within the UGCC, Yustyn Boiko concluded that Russian Orthodox literature had influenced Greek Catholic clergy.
UOC will play major role in achieving peace, says Vadym Novynskyi
UOC Protodeacon Vadym Novynskyi believes the Church will help bring about reconciliation within Ukrainian society after the war ends.
Catholic media outraged by forcible conscription of Uniate cleric
The Vatican’s Apostolic Nunciature has demanded the return of a forcibly mobilized Greek Catholic cleric.
Rivne court fines man for criticizing parish's "transfer" to OCU
A resident of the Rivne region was convicted over Facebook posts criticizing the “transfer” of a religious community in the village of Butove to the OCU.
Novynskyi: I quoted the Gospel to Zelensky on first day of war
The former Ukrainian MP said he advised Davyd Arakhamia to begin negotiations with Russia in the first days of the full-scale war and later spoke with Volodymyr Zelensky.