July 15: The only day for Georgians to venerate Saint Mary’s robe

Hundreds of believers are gathering in Zugdidi today to venerate Saint Mary’s robe.

On July 15 each year Orthodox Christians in Georgia celebrate Vlakernoba; the only day of the year when the holy relic is taken out of storage in Dadiani Palace History and Architectural Museum and available for the public to pay their respects.

This year the celebration in western Georgia was attended by Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili, Minister of Culture Mikheil Giorgadze and other Government officials.

"Congratulations for today, I wish you spiritual strength and unity of country,” Garibashvili said in his address to the believers.

During the Vlakernoba celebration, the piece of robe believed to belong to Saint Mary was taken out of the Dadiani Museum and transported to the Blachernae (referred as Vlakerna in Georgian) Saint Mary Icon Church where pilgrims from all over the world have the opportunity to touch, kiss and honour the garment.

A piece of the Virgin Mary's robe, kept at the Dadiani Palace History and Architectural Musem.

Saint Mary’s robe is regarded one of the main purities of Christianity and the Virgin Mary herself is considered to be the principal protector and intercessor of Georgia as the country was first offered to her to preach in.

Today’s holy liturgy was led by Metropolitan Bishop Gerasime, who noted it was the first time such high-ranking officials attended the holy celebration.

He blessed all those in attendance and particularly praised Garibashvili’s earlier promise to learn Abkhazian language. The Bishop said this was very important to him as Abkhazia was located only several kilometres from Zugdidi and this could help forge better relations between the de facto authorities and Georgia.

Afterwards PM Garibashvili reinforced the Bishop’s words and said: "As Bishop Gerasime said at the sermon, one day we will reunite with our sisters and brothers in Abkhazia and we will celebrate Vlakernoba together.”

Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili attending the Vlakernoba celebration in Zugdidi today.

Before the liturgy ended Bishop Gerasime blessed the crowd, the Prime Minister and his family and the other officials and wished them well under the protection of the Virgin Mary.

According to the Orthodox faith today’s celebration is called Vlakernoba in the name of Blachernae - a district in the former Constantinople and current Istanbul where the Church of Saint Mary of Blachernae resides. It is believed that the robe of the Virgin Mary, as well as her icon, was brought to Zugdidi from there.