Metropolitan Nikoloz Pachuashvili of Akhalkalaki, Kumurdo and Kari believes that the Holy Synod may begin discussing the canonization of Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia II after it becomes possible to open his grave.

At the same time, as he told InterPressNews, according to the general tradition observed in the Church, at least three years must pass before a grave is opened, in order to determine whether the body has decomposed.

According to Metropolitan Nikoloz, it is unclear why Patriarch Ilia II cannot be canonized “immediately,” although he also speculates that members of the Holy Synod may be waiting for these three years to pass before discussing the issue of his canonization.

“No one is against canonizing Ilia II as a saint, but everyone says that we should wait. For example, I do not understand why we should wait and why the Holy Synod cannot reach this conclusion, especially since there is such a practice. In general, the practice of canonization came to us from the Latin world. In our tradition, people would simply commemorate someone in prayers and hang an icon, and that was considered canonization. The formal canonization process came from the Western Church, where there is a practice called ‘santo subito’ - immediate sainthood.

“When our Synod makes a decision, we will then have universal veneration. In my diocese, we have expressed our trust in the Patriarch; his icon is displayed here, and within the authority we have, we regard him as a saint and commemorate him as such.

“Every member of the Holy Synod says that we should wait, and I think the Patriarch [referring to Ilia II] was of the same opinion. In general, this is the tradition in the Church: at least three years must pass before a grave is opened. There is a tradition, particularly on Mount Athos, of opening graves after three years to see the condition of the body and whether it has decomposed. Perhaps this is what the members of the Holy Synod mean by waiting.

“As far as I know, there have also been instances of immediate canonization in Church history. Saints have been canonized in this way. Personally, Patriarch Ilia II is a saint to me, and I have the right to place my trust in him as a saint. I do not impose my opinion on anyone. I do not want to have any disagreement with members of the Holy Synod, so I express this peacefully. At the same time, I believe that our Patriarch is a saint, and in my diocese we express this attitude toward him.

“As for when I last communicated with members of the Holy Synod on this issue, it was on August 2, on Iliaoba. That was the last time I discussed the matter with members of the Holy Synod, and they once again said that we should wait a little and then canonize him together,” Metropolitan Nikoloz said.

Asked whether a Holy Synod meeting was planned in the near future at which this issue would also be discussed, Metropolitan Nikoloz said that, according to the information he had, “no one has said anything.”

“We have not had an example of immediate canonization in the recent past, so perhaps making such a decision is difficult for them. Everyone has to accept it, and not everyone agrees with immediate canonization. As for other matters, even if there were a Synod meeting once a month, we would always have something to discuss. The Catholicos-Patriarch must convene the Synod meeting,” Metropolitan Nikoloz noted.

It should also be recalled that Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, His Holiness and Beatitude Ilia II, died at the age of 93 on March 17, 2026.