Patriarch Ilia of Georgia baptized 700+ children in 56th mass ceremony

Tbilisi, November 20, 2018

Photo: patriarchate.ge Photo: patriarchate.ge
    

His Holiness Patriarch-Catholicos Ilia II of Georgia, the most beloved and trusted man in the nation, has celebrated his 56th mass Baptism ceremony at Holy Trinity Cathedral in Tbilisi, the site of the Georgian Orthodox Church reports.    

Photo: patriarchate.ge Photo: patriarchate.ge
    

More than 700 children became the patriarch’s Godchildren this time around at the mass ceremony. His Holiness now has more than 37,200 Godchildren.    

Photo: patriarchate.ge Photo: patriarchate.ge
    

More than 600 children were baptized at a previous mass ceremony in July.

Photo: patriarchate.ge Photo: patriarchate.ge
    

With the first mass Baptism on January 19, 2008, Patriarch Ilia commenced his initiative to help improve the dire demographic situation in Georgia caused by post-Soviet abortion rates. Such mass celebrations are held four times a year in which the primate personally baptizes and becomes the Godfather for the third and later children of married Orthodox couples.        

Photo: patriarchate.ge Photo: patriarchate.ge
    

According to the latest statistics, the country has a population of 3,718,200. According to the forecast of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), this number may drop to 2,985,000 people by 2050.

Follow us on Facebook!

11/20/2018

See also
At 55th anniversary of his episcopate, Patriarch Ilia of Georgia shares story of how he came to know God At 55th anniversary of his episcopate, Patriarch Ilia of Georgia shares story of how he came to know God At 55th anniversary of his episcopate, Patriarch Ilia of Georgia shares story of how he came to know God At 55th anniversary of his episcopate, Patriarch Ilia of Georgia shares story of how he came to know God
“There was some incomprehensible state, where I was as if detached from prayer. I didn’t see anyone. I felt closeness to God.” Another 1,000 children baptized by Patriarch Ilia of Georgia Another 1,000 children baptized by Patriarch Ilia of Georgia Another 1,000 children baptized by Patriarch Ilia of Georgia Another 1,000 children baptized by Patriarch Ilia of Georgia
The Georgian people have again expressed their great love of and trust in His Holiness Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia II of Georgia, bringing more than 1,000 children to be baptized and become the primate’s Godchildren in a mass ceremony. Georgian patriarch calls for legislation to help families with several children Georgian patriarch calls for legislation to help families with several children Georgian patriarch calls for legislation to help families with several children Georgian patriarch calls for legislation to help families with several children
In his Paschal epistle, His Holiness Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia II of Georgia pointed to the country’s need to create an “anti-abortion attitude” and to supply help from the state for families with many children.

Subscribe
to our mailing list

* indicates required
×