Christmas Alilo march held in Tbilisi today

With roots dating back to the 5th century, Alilo was resurrected as a public celebration in 2000 by the Catholicos Patriarch of Georgia Ilia II and has been held annually across the country. Photo: Salome Tsereteli/Agenda.ge

Agenda.ge, 07 Jan 2024 - 18:11, Tbilisi,Georgia

Georgian citizens in the country’s capital Tbilisi held the traditional celebratory Christmas march Alilo, a customary event involving children singing Christmas carols and walking through the streets, gathering presents to be later donated to charity.

Photo: Salome Tsereteli/Agenda.ge

The participants of the theatrical march, dressed in religious costumes, walked from the First Republic Square to the Holy Trinity Cathedral, passing through the main avenues of the city.

Photo: Salome Tsereteli/Agenda.ge

The children portrayed angels and shepherds, as according to religious belief, angels were the first to receive news of the birth of Christ.

Photo via Shalva Papuashvili press office

The marchers stopped at several locations receiving Christmas presents from the Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili and MPs, as well as from the representatives of Tbilisi City Hall, City Assembly and the Presidential Administration.

Photo via Shalva Papuashvili press office

Citizens also gathered to hold an Alilo march in Georgia’s Black Sea city of Batumi, western cities of Kutaisi and Zugdidi, as well as central Gori city and Kakheti region.

Photo: Salome Tsereteli/Agenda.ge

With roots dating back to the 5th century, Alilo was resurrected as a public celebration in 2000 by the Catholicos Patriarch of Georgia Ilia II and has been held annually across the country.

Photo via Shalva Papuashvili press office

The Georgian Orthodox Church is celebrating Christmas today along with other members of the Orthodox world, due to the two-week difference between the Gregorian and Julian calendars, to the latter of which Georgia adheres.