Armenian authorities bar Catholicos from attending Patriarch Ilia’s funeral
Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II. Photo: Today News
On March 21, 2026, Karekin II was prevented from leaving for Tbilisi to attend the funeral of Patriarch Ilia II of All Georgia. The news was reported by lawyer Ara Zohrabyan and relayed by the VERELQ information and analytical center.
According to the lawyer, the Catholicos’ chancellery had received an official invitation from the Georgian Patriarchate to take part in the mourning events and the Divine Liturgy scheduled for March 22.
Zohrabyan said he had filed a motion seeking temporary permission for the Catholicos to leave the country, arguing that the head of the Armenian Church should be present at a time of mourning in a neighboring state. The investigator, however, rejected the request and refused to lift the travel ban.
The lawyer stressed that such a decision could harm Armenia’s international image. Earlier, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan had said that Karekin II’s participation in the funeral of the Georgian Patriarch was not under consideration.
As previously reported, the travel ban is linked to a criminal case opened against the Catholicos in February.
Earlier, the UOJ reported that Patriarch Ilia II of Georgia had reposed in the Lord.
Read also
Relics of Dmitry Donskoy Discovered in the Kremlin During Cathedral Restoration
During restoration work at the Archangel Cathedral of the Kremlin, the relics of the holy right-believing Prince Dmitry Donskoy were discovered.
Konovalets temporarily reinterred at Kyiv cemetery
The remains of the OUN founder were reburied at the National Military Memorial Cemetery and will later be transferred to the Ukrainian Pantheon.
Doctor: Ukraine needs eight children per woman to restore 2022 population
The director of the Kyiv Perinatal Center said that to restore Ukraine’s population to its 2022 level, every woman would have to give birth to eight children.
Cherkasy RMA head reports Uman's preparations for Hasidic pilgrims' visit
Uman will strengthen security measures, medical services, transportation, and checkpoints, and an operational headquarters will be established for the duration of Rosh Hashanah celebrations.
In Italy, RCC priest commits suicide over transfer to another parish
In Italy, a 75-year-old Roman Catholic priest took his own life after after the announcement of a transfer from the parish where he had served for nearly 25 years.
UOC believers in Yakushyntsi call to protect their churches from seizure
Parishioners of St. Nicholas Church and the Church of Seraphim of Sarov declared a violation of their religious rights and asked the international community to pay attention to the situation.