Georgian PM: farewell to Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia II brings “profound sense of orphanhood”

In a deeply emotional address at the Holy Trinity Cathedral, Georgian prime minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Sunday paid his final respects to His Holiness and Beatitude, Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, Ilia II. The prime minister characterised the day as the conclusion of a “great era” and a moment of profound national grief.

Kobakhidze emphasised the deep emotional weight of the farewell, noting that it is impossible not to feel the poignancy of the words of the great Georgian poet Galaktion Tabidze: “All from the ancestors have gone”.

“I extend my condolences to all of Georgia. Today is a day filled with immense pain for each of us. A great era has come to an end. We are bidding farewell to our beloved Patriarch, our spiritual father, who devoted his entire life to serving his homeland and the Mother Church. At the same time, today is also a day of exaltation for every faithful Georgian. Today we can feel with particular intensity the greatness of our Patriarch and remind ourselves with pride how great a nation is, from whose midst such a figure could be born”, he said.

The prime minister noted that Ilia II devoted his entire life to serving the country and the Georgian Orthodox Church, and that his legacy marks the conclusion of a significant historical period.

“The early years of His Holiness and Beatitude’s service coincided with the golden age of Georgian culture. The figures of that era created a new creative treasure, enriching the spiritual life of our country and people. His Holiness added a new dimension to this work and transformed it into the strengthening of the Christian faith”, Kobakhidze noted.

At the same time, he expressed belief that the Patriarch would continue to support Georgia spiritually from “heavenly Georgia”, strengthening both the nation and the Church through his prayers.

“Over the years, many figures - and an entire generation - have passed into heavenly Georgia, those who made an outstanding contribution to the creation of the golden age of Georgian culture. Today we bid farewell to the Patriarch, who laid the foundation for the golden age of the revival of our Mother Church. In such moments, when saying goodbye to the Patriarch, it is impossible not to feel with full intensity the words of the great Georgian poet: ‘All from the ancestors have gone’, and at that moment it is impossible not to be overcome by a profound sense of orphanhood. The only thing that can ease this feeling is the belief that His Holiness remains with us and, from heavenly Georgia, will strengthen our homeland and our Mother Church with his prayers”, he said.

Kobakhidze also reflected on the Patriarch’s enduring image as a caring and guiding figure.

“When I think of the Patriarch and his work, I recall another line from the same poem by the great Georgian poet: ‘A gentle breeze spread across the field, and in its depths I envision an old father, an old father walking through the vineyard with a pruning knife in hand’. This image of the old father will remain forever in our memory. We will often remember His Holiness and Beatitude Ilia II as an old father tending his dearest vineyard, caring for the Mother Church, his homeland, and each of his spiritual children”, the prime minister noted.

“Thank you, His Holiness and Beatitude, for your service, your immense contribution, and your 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”, Kobakhidze concluded.