Administration of Government of Georgia releases statement regarding expenses incurred for the funeral of Ilia II

The Administration of the Government of Georgia has released a statement concerning the expenses incurred in connection with the funeral of the Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, Ilia II.

According to the statement, the Ministry of Culture concluded 26 contracts for the organization of the funeral ceremony, while several companies provided their services free of charge.

In accordance with Protocol No. 1 of the State Commission dated March 18, 2026, regarding the funeral of His Holiness and Beatitude, Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, Ilia II, the agencies responsible for organizing the funeral were designated—including the Ministry of Culture of Georgia, which was tasked with organizing the funeral ceremony (event). Pursuant to Decree No. 589 of the Government of Georgia dated March 20, 2026, the sum of 3,000,000 GEL was allocated to the Ministry of Culture of Georgia from the Government’s Reserve Fund to cover expenses related to the funeral of His Holiness and Beatitude, Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, Ilia II.

Based on Decree No. 953 of the Government of Georgia dated May 8, 2026, an amendment was made to the Government’s Decree No. 589 of March 20, 2026, adjusting the amount allocated to the Ministry of Culture from the Government’s Reserve Fund to 722,645 GEL. Consequently, 2,277,355 GEL was returned to the budget.

The total cost associated with the funeral of Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia II amounted to 722,645 GEL.

The Ministry of Culture concluded 26 contracts for the organization of the event:

"TV Project" LLC – provision of uninterrupted power supply and lighting in the area surrounding Sioni Cathedral – 10,000 GEL;

"Alpha Studio" LLC – provision of uninterrupted power supply (via generators) in the areas surrounding Sioni Cathedral and Holy Trinity Cathedral – 21,800 GEL;

"Luma Development" LLC – setup of various structures and spaces at Holy Trinity and Sioni Cathedrals and their surrounding areas (glass podium, space for journalists, space for camera operators, space for choirs, etc.) – 53,624.10 GEL;

"GT Holding" LLC – provision of LED screens, sound systems, generators, and modular scaffolding structures along the designated procession route within the grounds of Holy Trinity Cathedral and in the vicinity of Sioni Cathedral – 133,230 GEL; "VT Service" LLC – transport services for the students of Salotbaro liturgical singing schools from the regions, using 33 minibuses – 13,200 GEL;

Individual Entrepreneur "Giorgi Kvizhinadze" – transport services for students, using 3 buses – 2,850 GEL;

"Teleda" LLC – purchase of wine (406 bottles) for a funeral ceremony – 10,150 GEL;

"Discovery" LLC – provision of accommodation for Salotbaro school students (hotel services, March 21–23) – 29,400 GEL;

"HMS Georgia" LLC – provision of accommodation for Salotbaro school students (hotel services, March 21–23) – 33,880 GEL;

"Floreria" LLC – purchase of flowers for decorating the interiors of the Holy Trinity (Sameba) and Sioni Cathedrals, as well as the funeral procession – 26,550 GEL; "GeoVoice" LLC – Installation of various structures and provision of sound reinforcement systems (including sound engineering, Layher scaffolding, LED screens, cable trays, and truss structures) at the Holy Trinity and Sioni Cathedrals and their surrounding areas, including assembly and disassembly – 215,600 GEL;

"Tbilisi Hotels Holding" LLC ("Sheraton") – Organization of a funeral repast for 600 guests (including the provision of sound equipment, microphones, and interpreter services) – 93,886.70 GEL;

Individual Entrepreneur "Tsira Chkonia" – Purchase of flowers for decorating the cathedral interior and the funeral procession – 16,200 GEL;

"VT Service" LLC – Provision of 15 minibuses (March 22) – 6,000 GEL;

Individual Entrepreneur "Tamam Yusuf Gizi" – 10 meters of red velvet fabric – 300 GEL; GGS Print LLC – printing services for passes, badges, banners, and invitations; chair transportation services – 11,362.50 GEL;

Set Up Events LLC – provision of barriers, cable ducts, and cable covers – 9,740 GEL;

Individual Entrepreneur "Tsira Chkonia" – procurement of flowers for an open-top vehicle – 7,850 GEL;

Favorite Style LLC – production of 18 banners for scaffolding structures – 8,050 GEL;Jenny 1994 LLC – generator services for uninterrupted power supply – 8,600 GEL;

TG-TV LLC – provision of satellite connectivity services in the area surrounding Sioni Cathedral – 1,500 GEL;

Pure Filmworks LLC – television crane services in the area surrounding Sioni Cathedral – 4,531.20 GEL; Individual Entrepreneur "Giorgi Kobakhia" – services for providing a live broadcast signal and ensuring a live television transmission from the area surrounding Sioni Cathedral – 2,000 GEL;

Individual Entrepreneur "Levan Abuladze" – drone video filming services – 700 GEL;

Individual Entrepreneur "Ilia Kikabidze" – provision of live television broadcast services (via satellite transmitter, from 08:00 to 17:00) – 1,000 GEL;

Individual "Aleksandre Khuntsaria" – television crane services in the vicinity of Sioni Cathedral – 638 GEL.

Cleaning services for the cathedral were provided free of charge by the following companies: Progress Service LLC, Litex-Service LLC, and GT Group LLC. Aqua Geo LLC provided 5,000 bottles of 0.5-liter water free of charge. Furthermore, several companies offered their services at discounted rates relative to the work performed.

Individuals involved in organizing the event—including the director and the creative/performing team (singers, chanters, etc.)—did not receive any honorarium," reads the statement.