Patriarch Ilia II conducts service in Tbilisi Cathedral as Orthodox Christians worldwide celebrate Christmas

Orthodox Christians all over the world are celebrating Christmas on 7 January.

Catholicos Patriarch of all Georgians, Ilya II led the special Christmas service in the Holy Trinity cathedral in Tbilisi, accompanied by Archbishops and Bishops of the Georgian Orthodox Church.

There were earlier concerns about the health of the Georgian Catholicos, but although looking frail Patriarch Ilia II sent Christmas greetings to the faithful

The Patriarch's Christmas epistle was also read out.

Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili and other members of the government were amongst the congregation at the Holy Trinity Cathedral.

Similar services were held overnight in Russia and other Orthodox countries, and among Orthodox Christian communities world wide.

source: commonspace.eu

photo: Catholicos Patriarch of all Georgians, Ilia II.

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