Georgian Parliament Speaker: Patriarch Ilia II achieved the impossible - as a Christian he fulfilled Christ’s law, as Patriarch he bore nation’s heaviest cross

Georgian parliament speaker Shalva Papuashvili on Sunday delivered an emotional tribute during the funeral ceremony of the Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, His Holiness and Beatitude Ilia II, held at the Holy Trinity Cathedral. In his address, Papuashvili emphasised the Patriarch's monumental spiritual legacy and his role as the unifying force of the Georgian nation.

Papuashvili described Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia II as a figure who accomplished what seemed impossible - living in accordance with Christian teachings, remaining faithful to his monastic vows, and carrying the responsibilities of leading the nation’s Church.

“He accomplished the impossible - he fulfilled the law of Christ as a Christian, kept his vow as a monk, and bore the heaviest cross of his nation as a Patriarch. His earthly journey has come to an end, but what remains is love - his love for us, which the entire nation has gratefully returned to him in these days”, he said.

The speaker noted that one of the Patriarch’s greatest aspirations was to see the nation united in the Church, a goal he believes was fulfilled during his lifetime.

“He achieved this. And it is in this way that he stood before the Lord - blameless and filled with grace. We are the ones of his generation who lived alongside him, saw him, felt his grace, and bear witness to his greatness. But his story does not end here. After us, the path will be continued by his generation - his godchildren, our children, who carry his name, his blessing, and his grace. In this way, he built a bridge across time and strengthened our nation”, Papuashvili stressed.

“‘Great are You, O Lord, and marvellous are Your works’. May the memory of our Patriarch be eternal! May his prayers and intercessions protect all of Georgia!”, the speaker concluded.