How will the Georgian Orthodox Church celebrate Christmas during the pandemic?
Traditionally each year on January 7 Georgian citizens and clerics hold the annual Christmas march Alilo walking through the streets to collect presents for homeless children, needful families and penitentiary facilities. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge.
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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.
The Georgian Patriarchate released an official statement earlier today saying that the Christmas service in the Holy Trinity Church church will be performed by Catholics Patriarch of Georgia Ilia II late tomorrow evening.
The Christmas service will start on January 6 at 11 p.m.
- Traditional Alilo march held in Georgia
- Charitable Christmas Alilo march involves citizens in Tbilisi, regions
Traditionally each year on January 7 Georgian citizens and clerics hold the annual Christmas march Alilo walking through the streets to collect presents for homeless children, needful families and penitentiary facilities.
Alilo is a theatrical march involving participants dressed in costumes of angels and shepherds.
With roots dating back to the 5th century, Alilo was resurrected as a public celebration in recent years by Patriarch of Georgia Ilia II.
The Georgian government has called on the public earlier today not to forget about personal protective equipment and avoid crowded gatherings on Christmas.
Restrictions on movement will be lifted as an exception from 21:00 to 5:00 on Christmas night (on January 6).
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.
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 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.
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 secretary of Georgia’s Catholics Patriarch Ilia II, Shorena Tetruashvili, has tested positive for coronavirus.
The patriarchate of Georgia has released the annual message of the Georgian Patriarch Ilia II which is a traditional element of the Christmas service. However, the message was not delivered during the midnight service but was instead published during the day.