In the Holy Trinity Patriarchal Cathedral, where His Holiness and Beatitude, the Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, Ilia II, is lying in repose and the Divine Liturgy is underway, citizens are being allowed to enter gradually.

Until now, they were in the courtyard of Sameba and were following the ongoing service inside the cathedral via screens installed in the courtyard.

A short while ago, the central entrance of the Holy Trinity Patriarchal Cathedral was opened, and citizens began entering the cathedral.

For information: Earlier today, the head of the Patriarchate's Public Relations Service, Archdeacon Andria Jagmaidze, stated that “taking into account that many people were unable to enter Sameba during these days of mourning, during the Liturgy a small corridor will be left open in the Holy Trinity Cathedral, allowing the faithful to continue entering uninterrupted and paying their respects to the Patriarch.”

Previously, the Patriarchate had announced that entry of the faithful into the cathedral for the civil panikhida would cease at 02:00 on March 22, after which movement inside the Holy Trinity Cathedral would be possible only with special passes. However, this morning, Archdeacon Andria Jagmaidze told the media that “since many people were unable to enter Sameba during the days of mourning, during the Liturgy a small corridor will again be left open, allowing the faithful to continue entering the cathedral uninterrupted.”

It should be noted that for the portion of the faithful who are unable to enter the cathedral, the opportunity to bid farewell to the Patriarch will be possible during the funeral procession of Ilia II, starting at 15:00, as the body is carried from the Holy Trinity Cathedral to Sioni Cathedral.

Clergy are also being admitted to the Holy Trinity Cathedral in limited numbers.