The traditional Christmas “Alilo” procession was held in Tbilisi on Wednesday, marking one of the most significant religious events of the Georgian Orthodox calendar.
Pilgrims, clergy members, and church choirs began the procession from First Republic Square, carrying crosses, icons, and banners while chanting Christmas hymns. The procession concluded at the Holy Trinity Cathedral, where a festive Christmas prayer service was conducted.
Ahead of the procession, Speaker of Parliament Shalva Papuashvili, members of Parliament, and Tamar Bagrationi, the wife of President Mikheil Kavelashvili, arrived at Republic Square and distributed food supplies and donations to participants — a long-standing charitable element of the Alilo tradition.
“I congratulate my beautiful Georgia on the Christmas holiday. I wish my people health, strength, and prosperity. I believe that love will save us,” Tamar Bagrationi said while addressing those gathered.
The Alilo procession symbolizes generosity, unity, and compassion, with participants traditionally collecting donations for people in need throughout the country. The custom was revived in 2000 with the blessing of Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia II, and has since become an annual nationwide celebration observed in cities and towns across Georgia.
Christmas in Georgia is celebrated on January 7, in accordance with the Julian calendar followed by the Georgian Orthodox Church.
