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Orthodox Georgians Bid Final Farewell to Longstanding Patriarch
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on March 22, 2026
2 min readLast updated: March 22, 2026
Quick Summary
Thousands of Orthodox Christians in Tbilisi gathered on March 22, 2026, to bid farewell to Ilia II, the Georgian Orthodox Church’s patriarch since 1977, who died aged 93. His nearly 49-year leadership, spanning Soviet repression to post‑independence era, symbolized national unity and spiritual conti
Georgians Pay Tribute as Patriarch Ilia II Is Laid to Rest After 49 Years
Nation Mourns the Passing of a Spiritual Leader
By Lucy Papachristou
Mass Gatherings in Tbilisi
TBILISI, March 22 (Reuters) - Large crowds of Orthodox Christians gathered in the centre of the Georgian capital on Sunday to mourn Ilia II, the spiritual leader who led the church through nearly half a century of Georgia's often tumultuous history.
Life and Legacy of Ilia II
Early Life and Rise to Patriarch
Ilia II, born Irakli Ghudushauri-Shiolashvili, died on Tuesday in hospital aged 93, having served as patriarch in the overwhelmingly Orthodox country for 49 years.
Personal Tributes
"He was a friend, he was a father, he was a leader," said mourner Nino Kajaia. "This is the end of an era."
Funeral Procession and Public Mourning
Farewell Along the Tbilisi River
Georgians of all ages, some holding flowers and candles, gathered along the Tbilisi river embankment to bid farewell as Ilia II's funeral cortege made its way to the Sioni Cathedral, where the patriarch was laid to rest.
Emotional Farewells
Many wept and clapped as the car bearing his coffin drove by, shouting "I love you, patriarch!"
Historical and Religious Context
Christianity in Georgia
Georgia adopted Christianity as its state religion in the early fourth century, and remains deeply religious to this day.
Ilia II's Leadership Through Turbulent Times
Ilia II became patriarch in 1977 and led the church through the Soviet period and the civil wars of the 1990s.
Uniting the Nation
"We lost a man who, over the course of 49 years, managed to unite the nation," said Giga Tutberidze, a doctor.
(Reporting by Lucy PapachristouEditing by Christina Fincher)
Key Takeaways
- •Ilia II served as Catholicos‑Patriarch of All Georgia for almost five decades (1977–2026), becoming the longest‑serving and most trusted figure in Georgia’s modern religious history.
- •His death on March 17, 2026 in Tbilisi triggered a state funeral on March 22, with tens of thousands participating, and Metropolitan Shio Mujiri named locum tenens pending a new patriarchal election.
- •Under Ilia II, the Church gained cultural, social, and political influence—restoring autocephaly in 1990, spurring church restoration, supporting independence movements, and promoting a baby‑boom initiative that made him godfather to over 47,000 children.
Frequently Asked Questions about Orthodox Georgians bid final farewell to longstanding patriarch
1Who was Ilia II?
Ilia II was the patriarch of the Georgian Orthodox Church who led for 49 years and was a unifying figure in Georgian society.
2How did Georgians honor Patriarch Ilia II?
Large crowds gathered in Tbilisi, holding flowers and candles and following the cortege to Sioni Cathedral where he was laid to rest.
3When did Ilia II become patriarch?
Ilia II became patriarch of the Georgian Orthodox Church in 1977.
4Why was Ilia II significant for Georgia?
He guided the church through the Soviet era, civil wars, and played a key role in uniting the nation.
5Where was Ilia II's funeral held?
Ilia II's funeral cortege proceeded to the Sioni Cathedral in central Tbilisi.
