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
Authorities discussed development of cultural routes at the Lavra with Dumenko
The OP, Ministry of Culture, SESS, the nature reserve, and Serhiy Dumenko discussed how to develop cultural routes at the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra.
UOC believers hold religious procession to Volodymyr Hill in Kyiv
The religious procession of the UOC faithful ended with an akathist at the monument to Prince Volodymyr.
Ukraine's Foreign Ministry warns Hasidic pilgrims against pilgrimage to Uman
The Foreign Ministry stated that due to the war, it cannot guarantee the safety of foreign pilgrims during Rosh Hashanah.
Media recall last patronal feast of Lviv church before its destruction
Footage from 2022 captures the prayer of the community of St. Volodymyr's Church just a few months before it was demolished by an excavator.
Bulgarian Church suspends archimandrite who concelebrated with OCU
Patriarch Daniel has imposed an argos – a complete 15-day suspension from priestly ministry – on Archimandrite Nikanor, abbot of the Chernogorski Monastery. Ecclesiastical proceedings have also been initiated against him.
UOC and RomOC clergy celebrate patronal feast of Kolinkivtsi Monastery
The divine service at the Holy Prince Volodymyr Monastery was led by Metropolitan Meletiy of Chernivtsi and Bukovyna.