Micah Jonah
March 23, 2026
Large crowds of Orthodox Christians gathered in the center of Tbilisi on Sunday to mourn the passing of Patriarch Ilia II, who led the Georgian Orthodox Church for nearly half a century.
Ilia II, born Irakli Ghudushauri-Shiolashvili, died on Tuesday in a hospital at the age of 93. He had served as patriarch in Georgia, a predominantly Orthodox country, for 49 years. His tenure saw the church navigate the complexities of the Soviet era, the civil wars of the 1990s, and the country’s post-Soviet transitions.
“He was a friend, he was a father, he was a leader,” said mourner Nino Kajaia. “This is the end of an era.”
Georgians of all ages, many holding flowers and candles, lined the Tbilisi river embankment to pay their respects as Ilia II’s funeral cortege made its way to the Sioni Cathedral, where he was laid to rest. Supporters clapped, wept, and shouted, “I love you, patriarch!” as the coffin passed.
Georgia adopted Christianity as its state religion in the early fourth century, and faith continues to play a central role in national identity. Patriarch Ilia II was widely regarded as a unifying figure who maintained the church’s influence through decades of political and social upheaval.
“We lost a man who, over the course of 49 years, managed to unite the nation,” said Giga Tutberidze, a doctor attending the funeral.
Patriarch Ilia II’s passing marks the end of a significant chapter in Georgia’s religious and cultural history, leaving a legacy of spiritual guidance and national cohesion.
