The Georgian Orthodox Church has announced events to mark the Day of the Sanctity of the Family on May 17, including the first festive liturgy to be celebrated by His Holiness and Beatitude Shio III following his enthronement as Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia.
Public Relations Department of the Georgian Patriarchate announced that Shio III will lead the festive liturgy at the Patriarchal Cathedral of the Holy Trinity (Sameba Cathedral) in Tbilisi.
The Patriarchate said delegations from various local Orthodox churches, along with guests who arrived in Georgia for the enthronement of the new Patriarch, will attend the service. Members of the clergy and monastic community of the Georgian Orthodox Church are also expected to participate.
In parallel, a traditional procession will begin at 11:00 a.m., moving from Kashveti Church to the Holy Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi. Parishioners participating in the prayer procession will receive a blessing from the Catholicos-Patriarch upon arriving at Sameba Cathedral.
The Patriarchate noted that, as May 17 falls on a Sunday this year, priests have been granted permission to begin church services earlier than usual to allow parishioners to take part in the procession.
The Day of the Sanctity of the Family has been observed in Georgia since 2014 and is marked annually by religious services and family-themed processions organized by the Georgian Orthodox Church. It was established by the Patriarchate following large-scale demonstrations held on May 17, 2013, in response to an LGBT rights rally in central Tbilisi.
Image source: epn.ge
