The funeral procession of His Holiness and Beatitude Ilia II, Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, is moving from the Holy Trinity Cathedral toward Sioni Cathedral.

Thousands of citizens are accompanying the Patriarch on foot on his final journey.

Along the entire route from the Trinity Cathedral to Sioni Cathedral, where the funeral procession is heading, a special corridor formed by members of the military has been arranged.

In the funeral procession, along with ordinary citizens, state officials, members of the Holy Synod, and clergy are also participating.

The Catholicos-Patriarch was escorted out of the Holy Trinity Cathedral amid applause and chants of “We love you, Patriarch.”

The Divine Liturgy at the Holy Trinity Cathedral began at 09:00 in the morning. The service was conducted 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.

The funeral rite was performed by the Archbishop of Constantinople–New Rome and Ecumenical Patriarch, His All-Holiness Bartholomew I, together with Metropolitan Shio and members of the Holy Synod.

The Patriarch will be buried at Sioni Cathedral.