Civil funeral of Ilia II continues at Holy Trinity Cathedral [Photo]

The civil funeral of Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, Archbishop of Mtskheta-Tbilisi, and Metropolitan of Bichvinta and Tskhum-Abkhazia, Ilia II, is underway at the Holy Trinity Patriarchal Cathedral.

Throughout the night, citizens have been flocking to Holy Trinity Cathedral to pay their respects to Ilia II. A queue of mourners has been forming since this morning, eager to pay their respects to the Patriarch.

Yesterday, the Patriarch’s godchildren held a procession to the cathedral. Ilia II’s godchildren and their families gathered at Avlabari metro station before making their way to Holy Trinity Cathedral, adorned with white roses.

By decision of the Patriarchate, the Holy Trinity Patriarchal Cathedral will remain open around the clock to facilitate the honouring of the Patriarch.

Ilia II, the Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, passed away on March 17 at the age of 93. A period of national mourning has been declared across Georgia following his death.

The Patriarch will be laid to rest at Sioni Cathedral on March 22.