Charitable Christmas Alilo march involves citizens in Tbilisi, regions
Young participants of annual alilo march are dressed in costumes to represent biblical angels. Photo: T. Robakidze.
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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.
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.
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.
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.
Alilo, the traditional celebratory Christmas marching of Georgians through the street has taken place in Tbilisi and throughout Georgia's regions today as the country celebrates Christmas. Alilo participants sang Christmas carols and exchanged gifts, which will later be donated to charity.
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 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.