Baby mass baptism ceremony on Epiphany day
About 1 000 children with the godparents wait for their turn for the baptism at the Georgia’s main Holy Trinity Cathedral in Tbilisi on January 19, Epiphany day for the Georgian Orthodox Church. Photo by Agenda.ge/ Nino Alavidze
This is the traditional day for the mass baptism since 2008, when Georgian Catholicos Patriarch Ilia II launched the new initiative to to improve the demographic situation in the country. Photo by Agenda.ge/ Nino Alavidze
Catholicos Patriarch becomes the godfather for the third and the next children of the married couples. To date, the Patriarch is godfather to more than 22 000 children. Photo by Agenda.ge/ Nino Alavidze
Positive trend became obvious during the first year of the mass baptism. The data of the governmental statistical agency Geostat read that the birth rate in Georgia rapidly increased from 12.9 in 2008 to 14.4 in 2009. Photo by Agenda.ge/ Nino Alavidze
The ritual on January 19, 2015 became the 38th mass baptism held by the Catholicos Patriarch during the past seven years. Photo by Agenda.ge/ Nino Alavidze
The part of the baptism ritual, the priest is drawing the cross with the special oil on the foot of the baby. Photo by Agenda.ge/ Nino Alavidze
Reaction of the babies while being in the water for the baptism ritual is different. This babe seems to be happy. Photo by Agenda.ge/ Nino Alavidze
This little newly baptised Christian seems to feel cozy after the ritual. Photo by Agenda.ge/ Nino Alavidze.
The other part of the baptism Orthodox ritual:the priest cuts the hair of the baby. Photo by Agenda.ge/ Nino Alavidze
The unexpected diving into the water at the Holy Trinity Cathedral. Photo by Agenda.ge/ Nino Alavidze
The very first mass baptism ceremony took place on Epiphany day, January 19 in 2008. Photo by Agenda.ge/ Nino Alavidze
The youngest participant of the ceremony. According to the Georgian tradition the best day for the baby for baptism is the 40th day of his life. Photo by Agenda.ge/ Nino Alavidze
Patriarch Ilia II usually blesses each of his godchildren in person after the ceremony. Photo by Agenda.ge/ Nino Alavidze
Despite the cold weather on Epiphany day in January, it is believed that it is impossible to catch cold during the ritual of baptism. Photo by Agenda.ge/ Nino Alavidze
Baby mass baptism ceremony is always very emotional for both,the parents and priests. Photo by Agenda.ge/ Nino Alavidze
Georgian Patriarchate holds the mass baptism ceremony several times a year, but the Epiphany day is the most traditional for the ritual. Photo by Agenda.ge/ Nino Alavidze
Photo by Agenda.ge/ Nino Alavidze
Photo by Agenda.ge/ Nino Alavidze
Photo by Agenda.ge/ Nino Alavidze