Thousands of Georgians turn out for funeral of Patriarch Ilia II | AFP

Thousands of Georgians attend the funeral of influential Orthodox Patriarch Ilia II, following his death at the age of 93 after nearly half a century at the helm of one of the country's most powerful institutions. His death removes a towering figure in the Caucasus country, where the church remains highly influential, and has sparked speculation that a Russia-linked candidate could replace him. Interested in licensing this video ? Get in touch 👉 http://u.afp.com/wvnD N.B.: AFP’s services and content are for professional use only