Five heads of Orthodox Churches are in Georgia and are attending the funeral ceremony of Patriarch Ilia II at the Holy Trinity Cathedral:

Archbishop of Constantinople – New Rome and Ecumenical Patriarch, His All-Holiness Bartholomew I;

Patriarch of All Bulgaria – His Holiness Daniel;

Archbishop of All Albania – His Beatitude John;

Metropolitan of the Czech Lands and Slovakia – His Beatitude Rastislav;

Metropolitan Tikhon of America.

Delegations from other Churches are also present to attend the funeral of the Catholicos-Patriarch of Georgia, Ilia II.

The Archbishop of Constantinople – New Rome and Ecumenical Patriarch, His All-Holiness Bartholomew I, has already arrived at the Holy Trinity Cathedral.

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I will concelebrate the funeral service for His Holiness and Beatitude, the Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, Ilia II, together with Metropolitan Shio and members of the Holy Synod.

The Divine Liturgy at the Holy Trinity Cathedral began at 09:00 this morning and is being celebrated by the Locum Tenens of the Patriarchal Throne of All Georgia, Metropolitan Shio (Mujiri) of Senaki and Chkhorotsku, together with members of the Holy Synod of the Georgian Church.

For information: The Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, His Holiness and Beatitude Ilia II, passed away at the age of 93. National mourning has been declared in Georgia in connection with the death of Ilia II. The Catholicos-Patriarch of Georgia, His Holiness and Beatitude Ilia II, will be buried today, March 22, at Sioni Cathedral.