How Georgia is celebrating Christmas today
In Tbilisi and several other Georgian cities, Alilo is a theatrical tour involving a lot of animals. Photo by T. Robakidze
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Adherents of the Georgian Orthodox Church are celebrating Christmas today according to the Julian calendar together with other members of the Orthodox world.
A special liturgy took place at Tbilisi's Holy Trinity Cathedral at midnight last night as Georgia's Patriarch Ilia II led the customary Christmas epistle with a congregation of followers of the Georgian Orthodox Christian Church, including government officials.
The midnight church service is traditionally followed by a march in the streets, called Alilo, during which participants sing Christmas carols, exchange gifts and give clothes, food and other items to the needy.
- See in pictures: “Alilo, Georgian Christmas tradition”
Several streets of Tbilisi will be blocked due to the Christmas Alilo march on January 7, the Patrol Police Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs has announced.
People will start marching from the First Republic Square towards their final destination - the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Tbilisi. Photo by T. Robakidze
Traffic on First Republic Square will be prohibited from 11:00, while Rustaveli Avenue, Pushkin Street, Baratashvili Street, Avlabari Square, Meskhishvili, Gonashvili and Samreklo streets will be blocked from 14:00.
Traffic will resume as soon as the Alilo march is finished.
- Read Agenda.ge’s story: “Your complete Georgian Christmas, New Year’s Eve guide”
On Christmas night, believers 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 Joseph and Mary, who searched for a shelter where Mary would be able to give birth to Jesus.
- Read Agenda.ge’s story: “With love, from Georgia to your living room”
The Georgian Orthodox Church celebrates Christmas on January 7 due to the two - week difference between the Gregorian and Julian calendars.
Religious followers will also celebrate a second New Year on January 14.
- Learn more about Georgia’s Catholic Christians special Christmas traditions in Agenda.ge's story: ‘Georgian Christmas tale’.
The Georgian Orthodox Church is celebrating Christmas today according to the Julian calendar.
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.
Georgian citizens in capital Tbilisi and regional cities on Monday held the annual Christmas march Alilo, walking through streets to collect and deliver presents to those in need.
Orthodox Christians in Georgia are today commemorating one of the most significant days in the religious calendar – Good Friday – which marks the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.
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 State Security Service officials have visited the families of fallen officers in Tbilisi and in the regions, wishing them a happy New Year.
The Georgian Patriarch Ilia II has delivered his annual Christmas sermon prior to Christmas masse last night at the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Tbilisi.
Georgian citizens in the capital of Tbilisi and regional cities have held the annual Christmas march Alilo walking through streets to collect presents for homeless children, socially vulnerable adults and penitentiary facilities.
Alilo, the traditional celebratory Christmas march of Georgians through the streets will not take place on January 7 throughout the regions of Georgia due to the COVID-19 pandemic, though the clergy will drive through the streets, sing Christmas carols and pour holy water on the streets.
Today Georgia is celebrating Christmas according to the Julian calendar. Due to the pandemic Alilo, the traditional celebratory Christmas march of Georgians through the streets, has been cancelled, though the clergy are driving through the streets, singing Christmas carols and pouring holy water on the streets.Christmas service in the Holy Trinity Church in central Tbilisi was performed by Catholics Patriarch of Georgia Ilia II late yesterday.