A solemn procession of godchildren of Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia II took place in Georgia

A large-scale prayer procession in honor of Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia Ilia II took place in Tbilisi, attended by his numerous godchildren and their family members. According to 1tv.ge, the participants of the event gathered at Avlabari metro station, from where they headed to the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity (Sameba).

This action is timed to honor Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, Archbishop of Mtskheta and Tbilisi, Metropolitan Ilia II of Bichvinta and Tskhum-Abkhazia. The concept of mass «universal baptism» is a personal initiative of the Primate, aimed at strengthening traditional values and supporting large families. According to the rules, the Patriarch’s godchildren are the third and subsequent children in families where the parents are in an official church marriage.

The tradition of universal baptism dates back to 2008. Since then, thousands of children across the country have become spiritual children of His Holiness. The current procession has become a vivid testimony of the Georgian people’s gratitude to their spiritual leader for his many years of service and contribution to the spiritual development of the nation.

Recall that the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church Patriarch Kirill sent an official message of condolences to the Georgian Orthodox Church in connection with the death of Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia Ilia II. The head of the Russian Orthodox Church called the deceased’s many years of service «a whole epoch» in the history of Georgia and the entire world Orthodoxy, noting his exceptional authority and wisdom.