“Today we are facing an era that we can boldly call ‘Patriarch’s Georgia’—this is not only a historical epoch, but a celebration of our national character,” Mikheil Kavelashvili said during his speech at the funeral ceremony of His Holiness and Beatitude Ilia II at the Holy Trinity Cathedral.

According to him, “Today everyone has seen, both inside the country and abroad, that no matter how much pressure is placed on us, the Georgian people will not change.”

As Kavelashvili noted, even at the end of his earthly journey, the Patriarch gave the nation a profound lesson, once again uniting it and reminding everyone of the true nature—love, humanity, and the unshakable unity that no earthly storm can destroy.

“Today, here in this magnificent cathedral, which symbolizes our national revival, the strength of the nation, and its eternity, Georgia bows before the immortal soul of its Patriarch, His Holiness and Beatitude Ilia II.

Today we are facing an era that we can boldly call ‘Patriarch’s Georgia.’ Your Holiness, your work united the civic duty of a Georgian with his spiritual mission into a single whole. It is precisely this path that shaped our national identity and showed us how to receive the grace of approaching the Lord.

After the restoration of independence, when our country was going through the most severe trials, you were the main pillar of the nation. When despair prevailed around us, your calm voice became a source of comfort and hope for survival. You taught us that even in the greatest trials, the way forward lies in faith in God and in love for one another.

Your contribution to preserving national identity and culture is immeasurable. You brought us back to our historical roots and convinced us that being Georgian is not just a glorious past, but a living, eternal spiritual energy. You were—and continue to be—the unifier of the nation, the steadfast guardian of our unity. We feel this strength even more intensely today, after your passing. In these silent rows and sorrowful gazes, we sense that invisible, divine thread that your love has woven among us.

“Patriarch’s Georgia” is not only a historical epoch—it is a celebration of our national character. Today everyone has seen, both at home and abroad, that no matter the pressure placed upon us, the Georgian people will not change. Our true nature is here—in this cathedral, in this shared grief and reverence. Even at the end of your earthly journey, you gave us a great lesson: you once again united us and reminded us of our true essence—love, humanity, and the unshakable unity that no earthly storm can destroy. Your Holiness, we continue the path you have bequeathed to us. May God bless your immortal soul, and may God bless Georgia!” Kavelashvili said.