US EditionGeorgia buries Patriarch Ilia II as succession stirs fears of Russian influence
Patriarch Ilia II's 49-year leadership ended with his burial in Tbilisi; concerns rise as bishops have two months to elect a successor amid fears of increased Russian influence.
- On March 22, large crowds gathered in central Tbilisi to mourn Ilia II, joining a kilometres-long procession to Sioni Cathedral where he was buried before the altar.
- One of the world's longest-serving religious leaders, Ilia II, served as the 141st primate of the Georgian Apostolic Autocephalous Orthodox Church from 1977, guiding Georgia through the Soviet era and independence.
- Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I led a funeral service at Holy Trinity Cathedral, with Cardinal Kurt Koch reading Pope Leo XIV’s condolence message to Metropolitan Shio, attended by thousands.
- Metropolitan Shio Mujiri will lead the church as locum tenens, and bishops have up to two months to elect a new Catholicos-Patriarch.
- Prominent writer Lasha Bugadze warned, "It is natural to expect an increase in Russian influence if he is elected as the new patriarch," citing ties to Russia and Putin’s envoy attending the funeral.
44 Articles
44 Articles
Orthodox Georgians bid final farewell to longstanding patriarch
By Lucy Papachristou 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. 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. “He was …
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Georgia buries Patriarch Ilia II as succession stirs fears of Russian influence
Thousands of Georgians attended the funeral of influential Orthodox Patriarch Ilia II on Sunday, as some expressed fears his successor could strengthen Russian influence over the Caucasus country.
King Charles expresses 'deep sorrow' following the death of Ilia II
King Charles has expressed his “deep sorrow” following the death of the Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, His Holiness and Beatitude Ilia II.The King addressed the letter to the holy synodof the Georgian Orthodox Church and extended his sympathies to all those mourning the death. He stated: “It is with deep sorrow that I learned of the passing of His Holiness Ilia II, the Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia.“He will forever be remembered as a…
In a message read during the funeral of Ilia II, Catholic Patriarch of all Georgia, who died on March 17, Leo XIV called him a "voice of ...
The Ecumenical Patriarch, Mr. Bartholomew presided over the funeral service of Patriarch Elijah II of Georgia, which was held today, Sunday 22 March, at the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Tbilisi Present were the Hierarchy of the Church of Georgia and primates and representatives of Orthodox Autocephalous Churches. The Ecumenical Patriarch arrived, earlier today at noon, at Tbilisi International Airport, on a private flight, where he was greeted by M…
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