According to Ioane Mchedlishvili, a clergyman of Holy Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi, the Sunday service will start at 09:00. Shio Mujiri, together with bishops, will celebrate the liturgy.

“The Ecumenical Patriarch’s plane is expected to land at Tbilisi airport at around 11:00, and we expect him here by 12:00. This is his decision, and he will take part in the funeral service,” Mchedlishvili told journalists.

According to him, on March 22, access to the Holy Trinity Cathedral will be allowed only with passes.

“The Sunday service will begin at 09:00. Metropolitan Shio, together with the bishops, will celebrate the liturgy. The Ecumenical Patriarch’s plane will land at around 11:00, and we expect him here by 12:00. This is his decision, and he will participate in the funeral service alongside the bishops.

After that, there will be speeches and sermons by various figures about His Holiness. Then, the Patriarch will be transferred to Sioni Cathedral, where he will be buried. The official list of guests will be published by the Patriarchate.

As you can see, the lines of citizens begin from the metro and continue for many hours, and on the day of the funeral there will be even more people. The entire area—from Holy Trinity Cathedral to Sioni Cathedral—will likely be crowded. There will be certain restrictions on entering the cathedral; access will be permitted only with passes. Even clergy will serve with limitations, and entry will be restricted. Citizens will most likely be allowed to gather in the courtyard as usual. The protocol is still being determined, including for the media. Access inside will not be allowed, but you will be able to work outside.

As for the transfer, I cannot say exactly what time it will take place, as it depends on the arrival of the Ecumenical Patriarch and the duration of the funeral service and speeches. It will likely be between 15:00 and 16:00,” Mchedlishvili stated.

For context, Ilia II passed away on March 17 at the age of 93. A period of national mourning has been declared in Georgia, and he will be buried on March 22 at Sioni Cathedral.