Solemn Baptism in Adjara by Georgian Patriarch
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Over 1500 citizens were baptized by the Georgian Patriarch Ilia II in Batumis Cathedral of Virgin Mary in Adjara on December 12.
"Our Patriarch is especially devoted to the Adjara region. said the Bishop Shio Paichadze. "When he arrived in Adjara, a lot of people came to meet with him. Many of them want to be christened and the Patriarch will be their godfather.
After the Baptism, the Patriarch will meet with his godsons in the Culture House of Adjara at 6:00 pm. Today his godchildren will be both, kids and adults.
In 2007, the Head of Georgian Orthodox Church, promised to personally baptize any baby born to parents of more than two children. This initiative caused the rise of the birth three times in Georgia, which was one of the lowest birth rates in the world before 2007. Patriarch Ilia II has the highest rating as the most authoritative figure in Georgia according to the Caucasus Research Resource Center (CRRC) and National Democratic Institute (NDI) surveys.
According to the Statistical Department of Adjara Autonomy, over 30% of the population is Muslim in Adjara, and most of them live in the mountainous regions.
Adjarians converted to Islam in the 17th century after the Ottoman Empire had occupied Adjara in the South West region of Georgia. In 1921, the Turkish government surrendered the territory to Georgia due to Article VI from the Treaty of Kars.
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.