Georgia celebrates feast of Saints Peter and Paul

Orthodox Christians around the globe and in Georgia are today celebrating an important day in the religious calendar - the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul, referred to as Petrepavloba in Georgia.

Festive services will be held in all churches across the country to mark the occasion today. Additionally, today's liturgy will mark the end of 32 days of fasting, which started on June 8.

Orthodox Christianity is the main religion in Georgia, supported by about 84 percent of the country’s population.

The Georgian Apostolic Autocephalous Orthodox Church is one of the world's most ancient Christian Churches, founded in the 1st Century.

The Feast of Saints Peter and Paul is a liturgical feast in honour of the martyrdom believed to have taken place in Rome of the apostles Saint Peter and Saint Paul, which is observed on July 12 (in the modern calendar). The celebration is of ancient origin with the date selected being the anniversary either of their death or of the translation of their relics.

The reason why these two apostles are celebrated on the same day is because they were both believed to be martyred in Rome on the same day.