“We bid farewell to the Patriarch who laid the foundation for the golden age of the revival of our Mother Church. At such a moment, as we say farewell to the Patriarch, it is impossible not to feel deeply the words of a great Georgian poet: ‘All our forefathers have departed’ and equally impossible not to be overcome by a profound sense of orphanhood,” said the Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze at the Trinity Cathedral.

According to the Prime Minister, the only comfort in this moment is the belief that His Holiness will strengthen our homeland and Mother Church through prayer from heavenly Georgia.

“I extend my condolences to all of Georgia. Today is a day filled with immense sorrow for each of us. Today marks the end of a great era. We bid farewell to our beloved Patriarch, our spiritual father, who devoted his entire life to serving the homeland and the Mother Church. At the same time, today is also a day of elevation for every faithful Georgian. On this day, we can feel with particular intensity the greatness of our Patriarch and remind ourselves with pride how great a nation it is that could give rise to such a figure.

The early years of His Holiness and Beatitude’s service coincided with a golden age of Georgian culture. The Georgian figures of that era created new artistic treasures, enriching the spiritual life of our country and people. His Holiness and Beatitude gave this mission a new dimension, transforming it into the strengthening of the Christian faith.

Over the years, many distinguished figures – an entire generation that made a remarkable contribution to the golden age of Georgian culture – have passed into Heavenly Georgia. Today, we bid farewell to the Patriarch who laid the foundation for the golden age of the revival of our Mother Church.

At such a moment, as we say farewell to the Patriarch, it is impossible not to feel deeply the words of a great Georgian poet: ‘All our forefathers have departed’ and equally impossible not to be overcome by a profound sense of orphanhood. The only thing that can ease this feeling is the faith that His Holiness remains with us and from Heavenly Georgia will strengthen our homeland and our Mother Church through his prayers.

When I think of the Patriarch and his service, I recall other lines from the same poem by the great Georgian poet: ‘The field has opened under a gentle breeze and I envision within it an old father, an old father with pruning shears in hand, walking through the vineyard.’ This image of the old father will remain in our memory forever. We will often remember His Holiness and Beatitude Ilia II as that old father tending to his most cherished vineyard, caring for the Mother Church, his homeland and each of his spiritual children.

We thank His Holiness and Beatitude for his service, his immense contribution and his boundless love. May God bless the soul of His Holiness and Beatitude Ilia II; May God bless and protect our Mother Church and our homeland,” concluded Irakli Kobakhidze, Prime Minister of Georgia.