Georgia’s Defence Minister offers support to soldiers on St. George’s Day

Georgia’s new Defence Minister Tinatin (Tina) Khidasheli is offering warm greetings to all Georgian soldiers serving locally and overseas as the country marks St. George’s Day.

St. George, whose day is celebrated in Georgia today, is believed to be Georgia’s special patron and protector of the Georgian Army.

Khidasheli spoke to Georgian soldiers in all military bases in Georgia and those on a peacekeeping mission in Afghanistan and thanked them for their vital service.

"As Defence Minister, I would like to let you know that I will always be your friend, a fighter for your rights and interests,” she told the military servants via video conference.

Khidasheli is the first female Defence Minister in Georgia’s history. She was presented to the role by Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili last week.

Click here to see Khidasheli’s emotional speech at the European Council’s Parliamentary Assembly (PACE), where she talked about Russia’s occupational policy.

Meanwhile Orthodox Christians in Georgia are today celebrating one of the most significant days in the country’s religious calendar – Giorgoba, Saint George’s Day.

Saint George is one of the most recognised Christian martyrdom figures. He is regarded with special reverence among the Georgian people, as he is believed to be the special protector and patron of the nation.

Historical accounts often described how Saint George appeared among the Georgian soldiers in the midst of battles.

The majority of Georgian churches, particularly in villages and even on top of high mountains, were built in his honour and, as a result, every day there is a feast of the Great-Martyr Saint George somewhere in Georgia.

Twice a year, on May 6 and November 23 (according to the Julian calendar), Saint George’s Day is celebrated among Orthodox Christians worldwide.