Christmas Alilo march held in Georgia

Georgian citizens in capital 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.

The march began from First Republic Square, where the city’s Christmas Village has been located since late December.

With roots dating back to the 5th century CE, the holiday was resurrected as a public celebration in the recent years by Patriarch of Georgia Ilia II. Photo: 1TV.ge.

Before reaching the Holy Trinity Church, children dressed in the costumes of angels and shepherds with other marchers walked through a number of main avenues of the city.

Alilo is a theatrical march involving participants in costumes. According to religious accounts, angels were the first to receive news of the birth of Christ.

The marchers stopped at a number of locations, including the Parliament of Georgia, where the Speaker of Parliament Archil Talakvadze and MPs gave them Christmas presents for the needy. Salome Zurabishvili, the President of Georgia also hosted the marchers at the Atoneli Palace.

President of Georgia, Salome Zurabishvili hosted Alilo members. Photo: 1TV.ge.

Patriarch of Georgia Ilia II also met the marchers, wished them well on Christmas day and donated gifts to charity.

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

During the Alilo march, the participants sing Christmas carols and exchange gifts to mark Christmas. Photo: 1TV.ge.

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.