PM: During Ilia II’s patriarchal service, church was not merely religious institution, but also guardian of Georgian statehood and national identity

“The Global Summit, where I was invited by the First Lady of the United States, Melania Trump, has ended. For me, this summit was a great experience and a great honor, as I represented Georgia,” said the First Lady of Georgia, Tamar Bagrationi, while summarizing her visit to the United States.According to Bagrationi, the summit brought together representatives from 45 countries and focused on globally significant issues.“The topic was important and relevant worldwide, addressing the development of new technologies and their integration into education. Many countries expressed interest in hosting events within the framework of this platform. I am convinced that the personal relationships formed during the summit are among the most valuable outcomes,” she said.The Global Summit, titled Together for a Better Future, was held in Washington, D.C. at the invitation of Melania Trump.The Georgian delegation also included Baia Kvitsiani, Deputy Minister of Education, Science and Youth of Georgia, and Mariam Lashkhi, Chairwoman of the Parliament’s Committee on Education, Science and Youth Affairs.

“The passing of a righteous man carries its own consolation, and we have been witnesses to a true miracle. All of Georgia rose to its feet and stirred, to pay homage, to give thanks, to show its love for Ilia II. That love, that unity, has given us immense spiritual strength and consolation to carry us through the most difficult of days. It gives us hope that we shall be able to preserve the great values that our Patriarchs have handed down to us,” declared His Eminence Shio (Mujiri), Metropolitan of Senaki and Chkhorotsku, and Locum Tenens of the Patriarchal Throne, in a sermon delivered at Sioni Cathedral.Metropolitan Shio extended his congratulations to the people on the Day of the Restoration of the Autocephaly of the Georgian Church, and spoke of the labours of Ilia II in that cause.“It is true that in 1917 we proclaimed the restoration of Autocephaly, yet what was still required was its recognition by the Patriarchate of Constantinople and by the Orthodox Churches of the world. It was His Holiness and Beatitude Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia II who took this great cause upon himself. Through years of tireless labour and by the weight of his immense moral authority, he achieved what had long been sought: in 1990, on the Feast of the Triumph of Orthodoxy in Constantinople, the Ecumenical Patriarch, His All-Holiness Dimitrios I, presented the Georgian Church with the documents confirming and affirming the recognition of our Church’s Autocephaly and Patriarchal title, rights that had belonged to our Church since antiquity. It may be said that our Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia II crowned the labours and struggles of our forebears in the cause of Autocephaly.Today we stand in this holy Cathedral of Sioni, filled with deep reverence and gratitude towards our holy Patriarchs and ancestors, those who would not accept, who never accepted, the loss of Autocephaly. Through their self-sacrifice, their toil, and at the cost of their greatest efforts, they restored and returned to our country and our Church the ancient, historic Autocephaly that had once been its own. These were the holy Catholicos-Patriarchs Kirion, Ambrosi, Kalistrate, Leonide, Kristepore, Melkisedek, Eprem, and others, both clergy and laity, among them Metropolitan Anton Giorgadze and many more. The Catholicos-Patriarchs rest here, in this holy cathedral, and beside them, their worthy heir and the continuer of their work, Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia II, has now found his eternal resting place. As the Gospel says, all can see how his works shine before men, that we may glorify our Father in Heaven.These have been days of the deepest grief for us. And yet we know that when a holy and righteous person departs this life, consolation and even joy accompany that passing. We waited to see how this would manifest. And we have been witnesses to a true miracle, all of Georgia rose to its feet and moved towards the remains of His Holiness and Beatitude, to venerate, to give thanks, to express its love. There was a wondrous unity, a love for God and a love for him personally. For in him, our people glorify the Church and glorify God; it is to God that they give thanks. This outpouring of love and unity gives us great spiritual strength and consolation to carry us through these hardest of days. It also gives us great hope that, with God’s help, we shall be able to preserve those great values bequeathed to us by our great Patriarchs and forebears, above all, what His Holiness Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia left to us as his legacy: true faith in God, fidelity to the homeland, and love for one’s fellow man. If we preserve these things, if we strive and labour for their sake, the Lord will surely come to our aid and grant us the strength to preserve both our ecclesiastical Autocephaly and our national independence, and to see our country made whole and strong once more.Once again, I congratulate you on the Day of the Restoration of the Autocephaly of the Georgian Church. May God bless you and grant you strength. May God bless, remember, have mercy upon, and grant eternal rest to the immortal soul of His Holiness and Beatitude, Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia II. May God bless, unite, and save Georgia,” Metropolitan Shio has said.Today, March 25, marks the ninth day since the passing of Ilia II. At Sioni Cathedral, the Locum Tenens of the Patriarchal Throne, Metropolitan Shio (Mujiri) of Senaki and Chkhorotsku, served an intercessory prayer and prayer vigil together with the assembled bishops and clergy. The service was attended by the Prime Minister of Georgia, Irakli Kobakhidze, the President of Georgia, Mikheil Kavelashvili, and the Speaker of the Georgian Parliament, Shalva Papuashvili.His Holiness Ilia II, the 141st Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, passed away on March 17 at the age of 93. He was laid to rest at Sioni Cathedral on March 22.

“There is a radical force operating in Georgia, not an opposition. We must do everything in our power to ensure this force never threatens the country,” stated MP Giorgi Gabunia, Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Culture.According to Gabunia, Georgia is pursuing a policy rooted in national interests, while this radical power is anti-national and influenced from abroad.“Georgia must never allow an externally controlled force to seize power, especially when they themselves admit to being manipulated from outside, maintaining constant contact with foreign financiers and patrons. These factions threaten to come to power; I ask you, how will they do so? They do not participate in elections or enter parliament. Their sole aim is violence and revolutionary upheaval. They operate outside the legal political framework. Since these forces do not engage in the political process, their only goal is destruction and radicalisation, actions Georgia will not permit. It may seem that these words are now outdated, but look at what is happening outside our borders, whether in the north or the south, war is raging everywhere. Gunfire echoes around our country. Yet, in this most challenging environment, Georgia not only remains at peace but is also experiencing economic growth,” Gabunia emphasised.

Tbilisi City Court has sentenced Elene Khoshtaria, leader of the Droa party, to one year and six months in prison.Khoshtaria did not attend the announcement of the verdict, nor had she participated in any of the court proceedings, citing protest.According to her lawyer, Khoshtaria does not recognize the case as criminal and considers it politically motivated. She reportedly submitted a written statement to the court, refusing to attend the trial or acknowledge the authority of the court and related institutions affiliated with Georgian Dream.Khoshtaria was arrested on September 15, 2025, and charged under Article 187 of the Criminal Code for damaging another person’s property, causing significant loss. The incident occurred on September 14, near the election headquarters of Kakha Kaladze, when Khoshtaria wrote “Russian Dream” on Kaladze’s banner. She shared the act on social media, stating it was in solidarity with Megi Diasamidze, who had been arrested for a similar action and later released on bail. The court set bail at 5,000 GEL. Khoshtaria refused to pay and remained in detention.

Leaders of the United Arab Emirates have expressed their deepest sympathies to the President and Prime Minister of Georgia following the passing of His Holiness and Beatitude, Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, Ilia II.“The President of the United Arab Emirates, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, has sent a letter of condolence to the President of Georgia, Mikheil Kavelashvili, mourning the loss of Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia II of All Georgia.His Highness, Vice-President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, along with His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice-President, Vice-Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court, dispatched similar messages of sympathy to the Prime Minister of Georgia, Irakli Kobakhidze,” the Arab media reported.Following the death of His Holiness and Beatitude, Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia II, on March 17, numerous diplomatic missions accredited in Georgia, as well as representatives of various religious confessions, have offered their heartfelt condolences, recognising his profound spiritual leadership and the enduring legacy he leaves behind.Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia Ilia II passed away on March 17 at the age of 93.