The President of Armenia, Vahagn Khachaturyan, arrived at the Holy Trinity Cathedral together with his delegation for the funeral service (panikhida) of the Catholicos-Patriarch of Georgia, Ilia II. He was welcomed at the entrance of the cathedral by Mikheil Kavelashvili.

The Speaker of the Milli Majlis (Parliament) of Azerbaijan, Sahiba Gafarova, has also arrived at Sameba Cathedral; she was greeted by the Chairman of the Parliament of Georgia, Shalva Papuashvili.

Delegations from both countries are now present inside the Holy Trinity Cathedral, where the funeral service for the Patriarch is about to begin.

A short while ago, the Archbishop of Constantinople – New Rome and Ecumenical Patriarch, His All-Holiness Bartholomew I, arrived at the cathedral; he will participate in the funeral service for the Patriarch.

Today, the Catholicos-Patriarch of Georgia, Ilia II, will be buried at Sioni Cathedral.

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 Patriarch was laid in repose at the Holy Trinity Cathedral on March 18. Since then, the flow of citizens attending the panikhidas has not ceased. The Holy Trinity Patriarchal Cathedral remained open 24 hours a day for people to pay their respects. Citizens spent nights in the cathedral courtyard to honor Ilia II.