Father Giorgi Sanamashvili, Dean of Sioni Cathedral, has announced that preparations are underway within the Cathedral for the tomb of Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia II, and that the Patriarch will be buried at the north door, before the Iconostasis.

“As you will know, in accordance with His Holiness’s own wishes, a place is being prepared for him in the ancient Patriarchal Cathedral of Sioni. It is situated at the entrance to the Cathedral, on the north side, before the Iconostasis, at the north door, where his tomb is being made ready. His Holiness began his ministry as Patriarch in this very Cathedral in 1977. He himself described that ministry as a night filled with light. Eight Patriarchs have been buried in the Patriarchal Cathedral of Sioni since the restoration of autocephaly to this day.

What is remarkable is that His Holiness’s passing has, in effect, united the entire country. I have spoken with people who are, regrettably, given to a critical disposition, yet even they feel the loss of this great man deeply and are profoundly grieved by it. The whole nation and the whole country stand united, which was the dearest wish of His Holiness. It was precisely to the unity of his people that he devoted himself. He even named his beloved television channel Ertsulovneba, Unanimity, when it was founded in its time. I offer my condolences to the whole nation,” the Dean of Sioni Cathedral said.

Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia Ilia II is to be buried at Sioni Cathedral on March 22. He passed away on March 17 at the age of 93.