PM Kvirikashvili extends Easter wishes to Georgia’s population

Prime Minister of Georgia Giorgi Kvirikashvili congratulated the country's citizens on the Easter celebration, marked by the Orthodox Christian church and its followers today.

Kvirikashvili attended a festive midnight service at the Holy Trinity Cathedral in capital Tbilisi, which started at 11pm last night and continued through to the early hours of Easter Sunday morning.

Flanked by representatives of the Government's executive and legislative branches, Georgia's PM participated in the liturgy led by Georgia's Patriarch Ilia II.

(picture) Georgia's PM (C) attended the traditional Easter midnight service at the Holy Trinity Cathedral in central Tbilisi. Photo by the Office of the Prime Minister of Georgia/Facebook. 

I would like to congratulate our compatriots and all Orthodox followers with this greatest celebration of Christianity, and extend my wishes of good health, long life and restoration of Georgia's territorial integrity," Kvirikashvili told reporters during the religious service at the central Tbilisi cathedral.

Kvirikashvili also spoke about issues raised by Patriarch Ilia II in the annual Easter Epistle, delivered by the leader of Georgia's Orthodox Christian church during the service.

(picture) The Easter service at the Holy Trinity Cathedral was led by Georgia's Patriarch Ilia II. Photo by the Office of the Prime Minister of Georgia/Facebook. 

The issues addressed to the Georgian people by the Patriarch in the epistle were very important. Among the topics he mentioned the matter of developing local production and agriculture, which we should obviously take into consideration," noted Georgia's PM after attending the traditional religious ceremony.

The Easter celebration is marked by the Orthodox Christian church on May 1 this year.

A holy liturgy was held on Saturday night in all churches across Georgia and attended by believers.

Good Friday, Easter Sunday and the day after Easter Sunday are legal holidays in Georgia. 

The day after Easter Sunday is remembered as burial ground memorial day where families traditionally go to ceremonies and visit their deceased relatives.