Georgia’s president and PM offer Christmas wishes to citizens

President of Georgia Giorgi Margvelashvili and Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili marked the Orthodox Christmas celebrations by sending their festive wishes to the country's population today.

Margvelashvili and first lady Maka Chichua congratulated church-goers with the Orthodox celebration from the Dusheti town in central Georgia.

The President and first lady attended Christmas service at the St Nicholas Church of the town, with Margvelashvili offering his festive wishes to citizens while touching on the subjects of tolerance and mutual support.

Christmas wishes were also offered today by Prime Minister of Georgia Giorgi Kvirikashvili, who attended the special service at the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Tbilisi.

Present at the service alongside his family and government members, Kvirikashvili wished citizens of the country "peace, health and faith in the future."

The Prime Minister visited Patriarch of Georgia Ilia II before the celebratory mass at the cathedral to offer his personal congratulations to the leader of Georgia's Orthodox Church.

Georgia celebrated Christmas on January 7 due to the two-week difference between Gregorian and Julian Calendars. Religious followers will also celebrate a second New Year on January 14.