Ivanishvili: rarely does one face such grief, today we bid farewell to our spiritual father

Ruling party founder and honorary chair Bidzina Ivanishvili has delivered a tribute to Ilia II at the Patriarch’s funeral, describing the moment as one of the deepest sorrow and significance in the life of the nation.

“Rarely in a person’s life does there come a moment of such grief and turmoil as the one I face now - today, before the entire nation, I bid farewell to our spiritual father,” Ivanishvili said.

He noted that the immense pain and love felt by every Georgian needed no explanation, as it was shared by all. Ivanishvili said the country’s farewell to the Patriarch is unlike an ordinary parting, but rather one that is “unprecedentedly deep, intense and painful”, as it encompasses not only emotions but also an entire era and a history of great love.

Ivanishvili reflected on the idea that a person is “born twice” - first physically and then when they discover their purpose in life - adding that Ilia II’s life transcended personal boundaries and became inseparably linked to the fate of the nation and its spiritual path.

He said that throughout Georgia’s long history, in its most difficult moments when the country stood on the brink of survival, Providence had raised individuals who served as pillars for the nation.

“If not by God’s will, how else can it be explained that we are a country and a people who gave birth to Ilia Chavchavadze, the father of the nation who revived a dying people? And how else can it be explained that we gave birth to Ilia II, the spiritual father of Georgia, who restored the Georgian Orthodox Church and became a symbol of the nation’s spiritual unity?” he said.

Ivanishvili stressed that such individuals are rare, figures whose greatness is defined by selfless devotion to their country and people, and whose legacy is immortal.

“Great people do not disappear; they live on in our hearts and memory for as long as we remain faithful to their ideals,” he said.

He added that during Ilia II’s patriarchate, the Georgian Orthodox Church became a place where people rediscovered God, regained faith, peace and a sense of unity. The Patriarch’s words became a source of comfort in difficult times, while his prayers served as an unseen pillar of hope for the nation.

Ivanishvili said Ilia II united the entire nation for nearly half a century and that the fruits of his work and service have become a shared and enduring foundation for Georgian society.

“The Patriarch’s life was not merely a personal spiritual choice, but a mission that shaped the spiritual direction of generations, a path that united the nation for decades,” he said.

He noted that in the life of a nation there are moments when people are united by either great trials or great joy, adding that today represents such a moment for Georgia.

“Millions of Georgians stand in silence before this great trial and in this overwhelming silence, now louder than any words, every citizen fully feels the magnitude of the loss you leave behind. In this silence, we bid farewell to an era that bore your name,” he said.

Despite the profound grief, Ivanishvili said Georgians are also a fortunate people to have had the honour of being spiritual children of Ilia II.

“We were the children of a shepherd who devoted both his life and even his passing to uniting his flock, the Georgian people, into one,” he said.

“Your Holiness, thank you for your goodness, wisdom and boundless love… Even now, as before, ‘a great era has come to an end,’” Ivanishvili concluded.