Head of the Special State Protection Service, Anzor Chubinidze, explained what kind of restrictions will operate on the territory of the Sameba (Holy Trinity) Cathedral on Sunday, March 22, in connection with the funeral of Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia Ilia II.

According to Chubinidze, police and defence forces will assist the Georgian population during the process.

“A small place will be available for the parishioners to enter in a limited number. We will likely manage that manually. When the space is full, we will explain to the population that there is no place left vacant. The World Patriarch Bartholomew will arrive and conduct the church service. Therefore, no procession will be held during the service. Police and defence forces will assist the Georgian population during the procession. The central part of the cathedral will be closed. Side parts will be free, and society will be able to watch the Patriarch’s remains being borne and then follow the procession,” he said.

Anzor Chubinidze added that only the clergy will be admitted into the Sioni Cathedral on the day of Ilia II’s funeral.

“I know that the Sioni will be closed and only the clergy will be present inside. No citizens or government members will be admitted. The scam is elaborated, and we are finalizing the details with the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA). Some roads will be blocked. The government commission held a meeting today to review the details and guests. We will know by tomorrow noon how many guests will arrive for the funeral,” he said.

Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia Ilia II passed away on March 17 at the age of 93.

Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, His Holiness and Beatitude Ilia II, will be laid to rest on Sunday, March 22, in the Sioni Cathedral.