Georgian Orthodox Church celebrates Christmas
The special liturgy at the Holy Trinity Cathedral at midnight was led by Georgia's Patriarch Ilia II. Photo: PM's office
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The Georgian Orthodox Church celebrates Christmas today according to the Julian calendar.
A special liturgy took place at the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Tbilisi at midnight, led by Georgia's Patriarch Ilia II.
Delivering the customary Christmas Epistle, Ilia II emphasised a number of issues, including:
- Problems in the education system and a need for the increased involvement of parents in their children's school life;
- Need for measures against abortion, drug addiction and gambling;
- The risks coming from increased cases of the abuse of freedom of speech, especially on social media in the form of hate speech, disinformation or defamation.
The followers of the Georgian Orthodox Church, including President Salome Zurabishvili and Prime Minister Mamuka Bakhtadze joined the celebration at the Cathedral. Photo: PM's office
The midnight church service is traditionally followed by a morning march in the streets, called 'Alilo', participants of which 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, 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.
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.
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.
Adherents of the Georgian Orthodox Church are celebrating Christmas today according to the Julian calendar together with other members of the Orthodox world. Following the last night's church service a march will be held in the streets, called Alilo.
The Georgian Patriarch Ilia II delivered his annual Christmas epistle prior to Christmas masse last night at the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Tbilisi.
Georgian soldiers serving in a peacekeeping mission in the Bagram District in Parwan Province of Afghanistan are celebrating Orthodox Christmas today on January 7.
The Georgian Orthodox Church celebrates St. Nino’s Day today. St. Nino, the Enlightener of Georgia and Equal to the Prophets, is one of the most iconic Saints for Georgian people. In the 4th сentury Nino preached Christianity in Georgia and in the year 327 Christianity was declared the state religion.
Archbishop Jacob, who has been one of the most influential figures in the Georgian Patriarchate, has quit the position of Patriarch Ilia II’s assistant and the chief of the Economic and Financial Council of the Patriarchate amid political turmoil around him.
Georgian Patriarch Ilia II has addressed Russian President Vladimir Putin in his New Year video and stated that the “occupation of the historic Georgian territories [by Russia] should end.”
The Georgian Patriarch Ilia II has delivered his annual Christmas sermon prior to Christmas masse last night at the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Tbilisi.
The Holy Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi has a debt of 256,652 GEL ($86,818/€76,667) for natural gas fees which have been accumulated for three years, says the Tbilisi Energy.
Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili on Wednesday joined messages of congratulation to Ilia II, the Catholicos Patriarch of the Georgian Orthodox Church, on his 90th birthday by wishing him “many more years” at the helm of the religious organisation.