Members of the Georgian Defence Forces have arrived at the Holy Trinity Patriarchal Cathedral, where the civil funeral of Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, Archbishop of Mtskheta-Tbilisi, Metropolitan of Bichvinta and Tskhum-Abkhazia, Ilia II, is currently taking place.

Georgian Defence Minister Irakli Chikovani and Commander of the Defence Forces, Lieutenant General Giorgi Matiashvili, were also present at the Holy Trinity Cathedral to pay their respects to Ilia II.

Throughout the night, citizens continued to gather at the Cathedral to pay their respects to Ilia II. Since this morning, a queue has formed of those wishing to pay their tribute to the Patriarch.

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.