Georgian officials share “warmest” Christmas messages
Georgian officials on Monday congratulated those celebrating Christmas on December 25 by wishing them “peace, happiness, health and prosperity”. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge
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Georgian officials on Monday congratulated those celebrating Christmas on December 25 by wishing them “peace, happiness, health and prosperity”.
President Salome Zourabichvili highlighted Georgia’s “centuries-old tradition of harmonious coexistence” of religious denominations in her social media message.
[This] not only makes us proud, but is also one of the main signs that we, as a nation, have always shared European values”, she said.
Foreign Minister Ilia Darchiashvili shared “warmest congratulations” to everyone celebrating Christmas today, wishing them “memorable moments with your families, friends, and loved ones”.
My warmest congratulations to everyone celebrating Christmas today! May this wonderful holiday bring joy, peace, and unity to all. Wishing you memorable moments with your families, friends, and loved ones! Merry Christmas!
— Ilia Darchiashvili (@iliadarch) December 24, 2023
Shalva Papuashvili, the Georgian Parliament Speaker, shared a “festive fun fact” while congratulating people on Christmas by noting over half of the 80 million Nordmann fir Christmas trees sold annually in Europe came from Georgia.
This means that during every Christmas period, a piece of Georgia finds its way into the homes of families across the rest of Europe”, he said.
Merry Christmas to everyone celebrating on December 25! May this season bring warmth, good health, joy and renewed hope to you and your families.
— Shalva Papuashvili ???????? (@shpapuashvili) December 24, 2023
Here's a festive fun fact: Over half of the 80 million Nordmann fir Christmas trees ???? sold annually in Europe come from Georgia,… pic.twitter.com/cs21Q0wo9R
Public Defender Levan Ioseliani also wished a Merry Christmas to the parishioners of Christian churches of Georgia, which celebrate Christmas on December 25.
Public Defender Levan Ioseliani wishes a Merry Christmas to the parishioners of Christian churches of Georgia, which celebrate Christmas on December 25.
— Ombudsman of Georgia (@Ombudsman_Geo) December 25, 2023
The Public Defender wishes them peace of mind, well-being and faith in the future. pic.twitter.com/0EY9fSQze7
Christmas service was performed in Catholic, Baptist and Evangelical-Lutheran churches of Georgia, as well as in the Church of the Gospel Faith.
Bishop Giuseppe Pasotto, who led the festive service at the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the capital city of Tbilisi, said people should keep the joy of Christmas in their hearts.
There are many problems in the world, there is a war in Palestine, but I must say - rejoice, because salvation has entered the world. I would like to congratulate all Christians, especially Catholics and also Orthodox Christians, who will soon celebrate the same holiday”, he said.
Rusudan Gotsiridze, a bishop of the Evangelical Baptist Church of Georgia, said today’s Christmas celebration was taking place “under the shadow of war and hopelessness”.
Because there are several bleeding wounds in this world. We all realize this world needs exactly the kind of peace that the angels said to the shepherds on the night Jesus appeared. We hope maybe this year it will be possible to establish peace in the country and virtue among people, congratulations to everyone”, she said.
An annual festival commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ is observed primarily on December 25 by the Western Churches and Eastern Orthodox churches that use the Revised Julian Calendar.
The Georgian Orthodox church follows the Old Julian Calendar and celebrates Christmas on January 7.
The Georgian National Tourism Administration on Thursday said Condé Nast Traveler, the travel advice magazine of the New York-based publishing, had listed Georgia as one of the best places to spend Christmas and urged travellers to visit the country.
The Government of Georgia on Thursday announced shows for the festive season programme across the country ahead of Christmas and New Year's Eve celebrations, with the events set to host residents and visitors of the country between December 23 and January 13.
The Christmas village opened on Saturday in Georgia’s capital under the slogan ‘Tbilisi - European city’ and will host visitors till January 7 at Orbeliani Square and Dedaena Garden Park on the right bank of river Mtkvari, the Tbilisi City Hall said.
Georgia’s capital city of Tbilisi will welcome Christmas and New Year’s Eve celebrations with an unveiling of a new Christmas tree on December 15, Mayor Kakha Kaladze said on Wednesday.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili on Monday congratulated those celebrating Christmas on December 25 by wishing them “peace, happiness and prosperity”.