Holidays in Georgia

Christmas.

The Georgian orthodox Church, like some other Orthodox churches including the one in Russia, observes Christmas on January 7 because it retained the Julian calendar. By midnight people in Georgia towns and villages come to the night service. The country leaders and famous public figures come to the Sameba (Saint Trinity) Cathedral in Avlabari area. The church is the main authority in this country, a most ancient Orthodox state. The Patriarch`s words are looked forward to. He delivers his address via the Synod.

As catholicos-Patriarch Ilya II stated, Orthodox Georgia is happy to celebrate the Holy Christmas and “ is praying for remittance of its own sins and the sins of others”. The nation`s godfather reminded people of their rights and responsibilities admonishing against propaganda and violence.

There is a special respect for Christmas and the way to celebrate it. Each family cooks festive meals.

On Christmas night children gaher to go round carol-singing with baskets and bags.

New Year.

New Year`s Day is the first day of the year. On the modern Georgian calendar, it is celebrated on January 1, as it was also in ancient Rome ( though other dates were also used in Rome). In all countries except for Israel using the Gregorian calendar as their main calendar, it is a public holiday, often celebrated with fireworks at the stroke of midnight as the New Year starts. January 1 on the Julian calendar corresponds to January 14 on the Gregorian calendar, and it is on that followers of some of the eastern orthodox churches celebrate the New Year.

Easter.

Ester is in memory of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It falls on the first Sunday after the first full moon between march 22 and April 25. Esater is a church holiday and many churches have an outdoor Sunrise Service. People give each other eggs painted red as symbols of new life. The 40 days before Easter are called lent. Just before easter, schools and colleges usually close. The students have a week or ten days of spring vacation.

Independence Day.

On Monday 16th Georgia people celebrate Independence Day because on Monday 26th 1918 Georgia was liberated from domination of Tsarist Russia and became a democratic independent country. Unfortunately this Independent state had lasted only for three years. In 1921 Georgia was annexed by Russia and the Soviet power was established .

After declaring independence of Georgia in 1991 this holiday is held annually. A number of activities are organized to celebtarte this day. Bands play patriotic marches in parades. Politicians and public men make speeches about freedom. There are patriotic readings and music in the streets and parks.

Svetitskhovloba.

On the 14th of October Orthodox Georgian churches celebrate Svetitskhovloba. At the same time the day of the king Mirian and the Quuen Nana (the first king and queen declaring Christianity as an official religion in Georgia) is celebratd. As the legend says after the crusifiction the shroud of Christ went to Elioz Longiroz who brought it to Mtskheta. Elios` sister Sidonia embraced the shroud of Christ and died. She was buried together with it. On her grave a cypress grew.

During the reign of the king Mirian in the 4th century A.D. on the place of the cypress a church was decided to be built. One of the post of that was made of the above cypress did not obey the church builders but by the prayers of the ST. Nino the pole rose on the height of 12 meters. The whole Mtskheta gathered to see the miracle. The pole was miraculous.

The Catholicos-Patriarch of the whole Georgia Ilya the II conduct a celebrative liturgical ceremony on account of this day in Svetitskhiveli.

Mother`s Day.

Mother`s Day is marked on March 3 in Georgia. The date is announced as official day-off.The day was declared by Georgia`s first democratically elected presidentZviad Gamsakhurdia back in the 1990s.Traditionally mothers receive a Mother`s Day card, gifts, flowers, lavishes of love and praise,

and acts of kindness-particularly a day away from their regular material duties and other.Several markets and shops are opened in connection with the date, since flowers are the

common presents for mothers today.

International Women`s Day.

International Women`s Day is marked on the 8th of March every year. It is an major day of global celebration of women. In different regions the focus of the celebrations ranges from general celebration of respect, appreciation and love towards women to a celebration for women`s economic, political and social achievements.

Started as a social event, the holiday blended in the culture of many countries, primarily Eastern Europe, Russia and the former Soveit bloc. In many regions,t the day lost its political flavour, and became simply an occasion for men to express their love for women in a way somewhat similar to a mixture of Mother`s Day and St. Valentine`s Day.