Georgia celebrates Orthodox Easter

Orthodox Christians in Georgia and worldwide are celebrating today the most important Christian holiday - Easter - the resurrection of the martyred Christ.

The holy liturgy service was held last night at the Holy Trinity Cathedral in the Georgian capital of Tbilisi and other churches across the country, and continued until the early hours of this morning, celebrating the victory of life over death.

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The Catholicos Patriarch of Georgia Ilia II attended the liturgy at the Holy Trinity Cathedral and his Easter epistle was introduced by Archdeacon Demetre Davitashvili to the congregation gathered in the Cathedral, including Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili, as well as representatives of the Government.

Congregants who attended the liturgy at churches were able to receive the Holy Fire brought from Jerusalem to Georgia by a charter flight last night.

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The Holy Fire ignited in the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem earlier on Great Saturday in the presence of thousands of Christian pilgrims on the eve of Easter. The miracle symbolises the resurrection of Christ and dates back to the 4th century A.D.

At Easter festivities, boiled eggs are dyed red to symbolise the blood of Jesus that was shed on the cross for the redemption of all men and a special cake called Paska is baked. Traditionally, Georgians also visit the graves of their loved ones the day after the Orthodox Easter, bringing the Easter eggs and wine to the place in commemoration.

Learn more about the Georgian Eastern traditions here.