In connection with the passing of the Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, Ilia II, the days of mourning in the country will continue through the day of his burial.

This information was released by the Press Service of the Government Administration of Georgia.

According to the statement, a working meeting was held at the Government Administration regarding the organizational matters of the Patriarch’s burial.

“The working meeting on the organizational matters of the burial of His Holiness and Beatitude, the Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, Archbishop of Mtskheta-Tbilisi, Metropolitan of Bichvinta and Abkhazia, Ilia II, was held at the Government Administration. The meeting was attended by the Prime Minister of Georgia, Irakli Kobakhidze, President Mikheil Kavelashvili, Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili, Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze, Head of the State Security Service Mamuka Mdinaradze, Head of the Special State Protection Service Anzor Chubinidze, and members of the Cabinet of Ministers.

At the meeting, it was noted that a state commission will be established to work on the organizational issues of the Patriarch’s burial. Representatives of the Government of Georgia will also participate in the work of the Patriarchate’s commission.

In connection with the passing of the Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, a period of mourning has been declared in Georgia. The days of mourning will continue through the day of the burial,” the statement reads.

For reference, His Holiness and Beatitude Ilia II, Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, passed away at the age of 93. A period of national mourning was declared following his death.