Georgia is in national mourning following the death of Ilia II, the Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, who has died at the age of 93. His passing marks the end of a nearly 50-year era during which he became one of the most influential spiritual and public figures in the country’s modern history.
By government decree, a day of mourning has been declared across Georgia, with state flags lowered to half-mast on all administrative buildings. The atmosphere in the capital, Tbilisi, is solemn, as thousands of people have already gathered at the Holy Trinity Cathedral, waiting to pay their respects to the late Patriarch.
Following a session of the Holy Synod, key decisions have now been made regarding both the funeral and the future leadership of the Church. A procession will take place from the Patriarchal residence to the cathedral, bringing together clergy, officials, and members of the public. In accordance with his personal wishes, it has been confirmed that Ilia II will be laid to rest at Sioni Cathedral, one of the most historic churches in the country.
The Synod has also formally initiated the process of selecting the next Patriarch. Until a new leader is elected, the Church is being overseen by Metropolitan Shio Mujiri, who serves as the Patriarchal Throne-holder.
The election process itself is structured and deeply rooted in Church law. The Holy Synod will first nominate three candidates. These names will then be presented to an expanded council, although the final vote remains with Synod members. A candidate must receive a majority of votes to be elected, and the entire process is expected to be completed within 40 days to two months.
This transition comes at a particularly sensitive time. Ilia II had previously expressed a clear wish that no political or external forces should interfere in the selection of his successor. Recent statements and actions by the Synod suggest that this principle is being upheld, reinforcing the importance of independence within the Church.
Tributes continue to pour in from world leaders, religious figures, and international partners, all recognising Ilia II’s role in preserving national identity, strengthening faith, and guiding Georgia through some of its most challenging decades.
As the country grieves, attention is now focused on two parallel processes: honouring a deeply respected spiritual leader and ensuring a careful, transparent transition that will shape the future of the Georgian Orthodox Church.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has dismissed Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi, replacing him with General Mykhailo Drapatyi in one of the...
Southeast Asia remains the epicentre of scam centres running illegal online fraud schemes that target victims worldwide and generate billions of dolla...
Iran is increasingly relying on its northern ports for imports, with officials saying more than 30% of goods now enter the country via Russia and the ...
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has dismissed Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi, replacing him with General Mykhailo Drapatyi in one of the most significant military leadership changes since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
AnewZ's Daybreak on 21 July covered the latest escalation in the U.S.-Iran conflict, rising trade tensions between the United States and Canada, and key regional and international developments.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for setting up a foolproof public examination system in the country on Tuesday, a day after supporters of the youth-led "cockroach" movement and police clashed as they marched on parliament to protest against question paper leaks.
Lebanese army troops have begun deploying in the southern town of Zawtar al-Gharbiyeh after Israeli forces withdrew from the area, marking the first major step in a U.S.-brokered plan to reduce tensions along the Lebanon-Israel border.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 20th July, covering the latest developments you need to know.
At least six people were killed and 21 others injured after two earthquakes struck Peru's central Junín region, destroying dozens of homes and triggering a major emergency response.
Kylian Mbappé has become the first player to win the FIFA World Cup Golden Boot on more than one occasion. The French forward won the award presented to the top goalscorer of the tournament for the second time, despite France being knocked out in the semi-finals.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 21st of July, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Overnight U.S. strikes caused blackouts in southwestern Iran and hit the northwestern city of Tabriz for the first time. Separately, a U.S. soldier died in northern Iraq during a controlled detonation of an unexploded Iranian drone.
Lebanese army troops have begun deploying in the southern town of Zawtar al-Gharbiyeh after Israeli forces withdrew from the area, marking the first major step in a U.S.-brokered plan to reduce tensions along the Lebanon-Israel border.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier have discussed regional developments, transport connectivity, energy cooperation and the Azerbaijan-Armenia peace process during talks in Berlin.
Georgian officials have returned from Rotterdam with new ideas for multimodal logistics, but after years of delays, the Anaklia Deepwater Port still faces significant challenges before it becomes a reality.
A family of six, including four children, has been killed after an Israeli airstrike hit their home in Gaza City, underscoring the continuing violence despite a ceasefire that has formally remained in place for more than nine months.
Türkiye has taken a new technical step to facilitate direct trade with Armenia as part of the ongoing normalisation process between the two countries.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment