The Patriarchate of Georgia has released information regarding the funeral ceremony of Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia II.

According to the Patriarchate, the Patriarchal Cathedral of the Holy Trinity will be closed on March 22, from 02:00 to 08:00, in order to organize and prepare for the funeral ceremony of the Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, His Holiness and Beatitude, Ilia II, as well as to comply with security standards arising from the presence of delegations.

According to the Patriarchate, entry to the cathedral will be possible only with special permits. As stated in the information, at 15:00, the Patriarch’s body will be transferred from the Holy Trinity Cathedral to the Sioni Patriarchal Cathedral.

“On Sunday, from 08:00 in the morning, due to objective circumstances beyond our control, entry to the temple will be possible only with special permits and we ask you to treat this fact with understanding.

The service will begin at 09:00 in the morning. The service will be performed by the Patriarchal Throne of All Georgia, Metropolitan Shio (Mujiri) of Senaki and Chkhorotsku, together with members of the Holy Synod of the Georgian Church.

At 12:15, the Archbishop of Constantinople - New Rome and Ecumenical Patriarch, His Holiness Bartholomew I, will arrive at the temple, who, together with the Patriarchal Throne, Metropolitan Shio and members of the Holy Synod of the Georgian Church, will perform a service for His Holiness and Beatitude, Ilia II.

At 15:00, Patriarch’s body will be transferred from the Holy Trinity Cathedral to the Sioni Patriarchal Cathedral.

Parishioners who were unable to say goodbye to the Patriarch in the cathedral will be given the opportunity to do so during the funeral procession on the road from the Holy Trinity Cathedral to the Sioni Cathedral.

In particular, a live corridor will be organized along the route, and the population will also have the opportunity to watch the full service live on multiple screens installed along the road and, if desired, pay tribute to His Holiness with flowers.

We apologize and ask for your understanding of the current situation. We understand that each person must say goodbye to His Holiness and His Beatitude, however, due to the protocol and other technical details related to the funeral ceremony, it is impossible to allow the public into the temple," reads the information.