Georgian Orthodox Church celebrates Epiphany

Orthodox Christians in Georgia and across the world are celebrating the Epiphany today, during which the Georgian Orthodox Church holds a mass baptism and conducts water blessing rituals.

The Epiphany commemorates the baptism of Jesus Christ in the Jordan River by John the Baptist.

Today is a public holiday in the country as the majority of Georgia’s population is Orthodox Christian.

Catholicos Patriarch of Georgia Ilia II and members of the Holy Synod led a festive liturgy at the country's main cathedral, Holy Trinity Cathedral in central Tbilisi.

After the liturgy, a water blessing ceremony will be held in the yard of the Holy Trinity Cathedral, led by Patriarch Ilia II.

Those who attend the liturgy are sprinkled with holy water, which they can also take home and drink during the year. It is believed the holy water contains immortal features of the river Jordan. In times of sickness or trouble, believers can drink the water to ease their discomfort.

The ceremony will end later this afternoon after the Patriarch has baptized hundreds of children.

It will be the 47th mass baptism held by the Catholicos Patriarch. He will now become godfather to more than 770 children – each of whom he will bless towards 8 PM tonight.

To date, the Patriarch is godfather to more than 30,238 children. The initiative launched in 2008 and is open to Orthodox families with three or more children.

Last night the Black Sea was traditionally blessed by the Archbishop of Batumi and Lazeti Dimitry. Hundreds of people braved the cold Batumi waters and took part in the ceremony commonly known as the Epiphany dip.

It is believed the water of the Epiphany is full of healing properties and can purify a believer of their sins.