In Georgia, Christmas is celebrated today – it is a public holiday and an official day off.

The festive Liturgy was held in all active churches of Georgia the night before. The head of the Georgian Orthodox Church-Catholicos-Patriarch of all Georgia Elijah II, served a Christmas service at the Cathedral of the most Holy Trinity – Sameba.

In Georgia, there is a tradition revived by Elijah the Second-on Christmas night, believers put a lighted candle in the Windows of houses to light the most Holy mother of God and the infant Jesus Christ the way to the homes and hearts of Christians. This custom is reminiscent of the biblical events when Joseph and Mary, wandering, sought shelter for the birth of their son.

So that parishioners could attend the night service, the metro in Tbilisi on Christmas night was open until 4 am, travel from 23 hours was free.

Today in the center of Tbilisi at 14 o'clock will begin the procession "Alilo" — this is another Georgian Christmas tradition.

The Georgian word "Alilo" comes from the word "Hallelujah".

Participants of the procession pass through the city center, singing Christmas folk and Church songs. Their costumes remind of the participants of the Christmas Bible story: these are angels with wreaths on their heads – "maharobeli", that is, "messengers of joy", Magi with gifts, as well as shepherds. The procession is attended by clergy and congregation. Everyone can give the participants of the procession gifts and sweets, which are then distributed to those in need.

Participants of "Alilo" traditionally pass through Rustaveli Avenue, Freedom square, as well as through Pushkin and Baratashvili streets. From there they go to the Patriarchy. The procession ends at the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity Sameba.

The most famous Georgian Christmas hymn "Alilo" performed by the Tbilisi Symphony orchestra under the direction of conductor Vakhtang Kakhidze

Another Christmas tradition comes from Guria, a region in Western Georgia.

On Christmas Eve, they bake a Christmas cake — almost the same as khachapuri, only in the shape of a Crescent, on yeast dough, and in the filling, along with cheese, add a boiled egg. A pie is baked for each member of the family, indicating the names with letters from the dough. On Christmas morning, everyone should eat their own half-moon pie.

The day of the Nativity as Church for the great feasts, according to the gospel, in which this event is portrayed the greatest, joyful and wonderful.

According to the gospel tradition, when the Roman Emperor Augustus, who ruled Judea, announced a census, and everyone had to register exactly where he came from, the righteous Joseph went with the betrothed Virgin Mary to his native city of Bethlehem. On the way, Joseph and Mary did not find a place in the Inn and took refuge in a cave. It was there, among the hay and straw scattered for food and bedding for cattle, far from permanent residence, among strangers, on a cold winter night, in an environment devoid of not only earthly grandeur, but even ordinary comfort — was born the Savior of the world.

The news of the Savior's Nativity was heard by the shepherds who were guarding their flocks-an angel of the Lord told them about it. Thus the shepherds of Bethlehem were the first to worship the infant Jesus.

In addition, the miraculous star announced the birth of Christ to the Magi-stargazers, who hurried to meet the predicted Savior. They arrived at the cave and brought the baby their gifts: gold and incense.

Having heard that the great King of the world had come to earth, king Herod, who at that time ruled Judea, summoned the Magi to find out the time of the appearance of the star of Bethlehem and calculate the possible age of the future king, whom he feared as a rival to his reign.

Enraged, Herod, finding that the Magi did not obey him, sent soldiers to Bethlehem with orders to put to death all male infants under two years of age. The gospel tells that Joseph, having received a warning of danger in a dream, fled with the blessed Virgin Mary and the child to Egypt, where the Holy family was located until the death of Herod.

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