Charitable Christmas Alilo march involves citizens in Tbilisi, regions

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.

The marchers in Tbilisi began marking this year's event from the First Republic Square - which has been hosting the city's Christmas Village since late December.

They walked through the Rustaveli Avenue, Freedom Square and crossed the Baratashvili Bridge before reaching the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Avlabari district.

Members of a choreographic ensemble of the Georgian National Youth Palace wait with presents prepared to be handed over to Alilo marchers, as the latter walk past on Rustaveli Avenue. Photo: Georgian National Youth Palace.

Collecting items for organisations housing homeless children and socially underprivileged adults, as well as penitentiary facilities, celebrating volunteers delivered them to the Cathedral where a mass was expected to be held for the less privileged of the society.

Alilo is a theatrical march involving participants in costumes, and was designed to replicate the biblical Magi and angels who, according to religious history, were the first to receive news of the birth of Christ.

With roots dating back to the 5th century CE, the occasion was resurrected as a public celebration in the recent years by Patriarch of Georgia Ilia II.

January 7 is the date when the Georgian Orthodox Church celebrates Christmas, with the date being based on the Julian calendar - as opposed to the Gregorian calendar in most of the world.