Georgian Orthodox Church celebrates Christmas
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Members of the Georgian Orthodox Church, together with part of the Orthodox world, celebrate Christmas today according to the Julian calendar.
The special liturgy commenced at Tbilisi's Holy Trinity Cathedral at midnight as Georgia's Patriarch Ilia II led the annual ceremony.
The followers of the Georgian Orthodox Church, including President Giorgi Margvelashvili, Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili and other members of the Cabinet, joined the celebration at the Cathedral.
The Georgian leaders attend the special Christmas liturgy at Holy Trinity Cathedral. Photo by PM's press office
Delivering the customary Christmas Epistle, Ilia II outlined a number of issues, including:
- Importance of faith and the role of church in people's lives;
- Elaboration of effective anti-drug policy for the youth;
- Improvement of demographic situation in Georgia.
On Christmas night, believers also light candles in their homes and place them next to the windows so that the light may be seen from outside.
This tradition is observed in memory of the biblical story of Virgin Mary and Joseph, who searched for a shelter to give birth to Jesus Christ. Photo by S. Modebadze
The midnight church service is traditionally followed by the morning march in the streets, called 'Alilo', during which participants sing Christmas carols, exchange gifts and give clothes, food and other items to the needy.
Georgia celebrates Christmas on January 7 due to the two week difference between the Gregorian and Julian Calendars.
Members of the Georgian Orthodox Church, together with part of the Orthodox world, will celebrate Christmas tomorrow, on January 7, according to the Julian calendar. Public transport will be free on Christmas Eve in Tbilisi so that people attending the night liturgy and outdoor celebrations can later get home more easily.
Today the Catholics Patriarch of Georgia Ilia II turned 85. He has lead the spiritual life of the Orthodox Georgian parish for the past 40 years.
Catholicos Patriarch of Georgia Ilia II has expressed his warm wishes to the nation on the New Year and wished everyone happiness.
Today, a major part of Christians all over the world are celebrating one of the most important religious holidays of the faith - Christmas, which marks the birth of Jesus Christ. Georgian Orthodox Christians, who make up the majority of population, will celebrate Christmas on January 7.
Christmas is one of the main religious events for the Orthodox people that is celebrated on January 7. Wishing everyone Merry Christmas, Georgian Interior Minister Giorgi Gakharia visited servicemen guarding along the occupation line between Georgia and its Russian occupied region of Abkhazia.
Alilo, the traditional celebratory Christmas march of Georgians through the street has taken place in Tbilisi and throughout Georgia's regions today as the country celebrates Christmas. During the Alilo march, the participants sang Christmas carols and exchanged gifts to mark Christmas, celebrated each year in Georgia on January 7.
The Georgian Orthodox Church is celebrating Christmas today according to the Julian calendar.
Georgian Patriarch Ilia II, who will turn 87 in January, has marked the 42nd anniversary of his appointment to the position.
Georgian top officials, the prime minister, the president and parliament speaker have sent kind wishes on a New Year holiday. “I wish you a Happy New Year 2020! I wish happiness and success to all of you and to our homeland. We welcome the New Year with hope and anticipation of beneficial change. May all our wishes-those of all our citizens, the younger and the elder alike-come true,” Georgian PM Giorgi Gakharia said.
The State Security Service officials have visited the families of fallen officers in Tbilisi and in the regions, wishing them a happy New Year.