On May 17, Georgia will mark the Day of Family Sanctity and Respect for Parents with a solemn religious event in the capital, Tbilisi. As part of the observance, a special service will be conducted at St. George’s Cathedral in Kashveti, followed by a prayer procession to the Holy Trinity Cathedral (Sameba).
The Georgian Patriarchate said all heads of the Orthodox churches across the country have received a blessing to join the faithful in the prayer march, emphasizing unity in support of traditional family values.
The event is scheduled to begin at 13:00 with the gathering of parishioners at Kashveti Cathedral. A liturgy will be held at 14:00, after which the procession will proceed through Rustaveli Avenue, Freedom Square, and Avlabari toward the Holy Trinity Cathedral, where concluding prayers will be offered.
The Day of Family Sanctity and Respect for Parents was established by the Georgian Orthodox Church in the early 2010s and is observed annually on May 17. In 2024, the Georgian government declared it an official public holiday. The Church introduced the day as a response to what it perceives as threats to traditional family values, with the intention of promoting the spiritual and moral role of the family in Georgian society.
It is notable that this observance coincides with the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia (IDAHOBIT), which is marked globally to raise awareness about discrimination against LGBTQ+ communities. Over the years, this date has seen tensions in Georgia, with rights activists often facing difficulties in organizing peaceful events due to counterdemonstrations by conservative and religious groups.
Today’s procession, led by senior clergy and joined by state officials, underscores the continuing influence of the Georgian Orthodox Church in national life and its prominent role in shaping public discourse around family and moral values.
Image: IPN
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