About Celebrations – Alilo Procession
Georgia marks Christmas according to the Julian Calendar and Christmas Day is celebrated on 7 January. On Christmas Day, Orthodox Christians throughout Georgia take part in a religious procession, called “Alilo”, as part of their Christmas celebrations.
Icons, crosses and banners are carried through the streets and gifts are distributed to the needy. The procession was banned during Soviet times but was restored in the 1990s.
The Alilo procession is named after a traditional Georgian Christmas carol.
The procession held in Tbilisi begins in Rose Revolution Square (Georgian: ვარდების რევოლუციის მოედანი) and moves down Rustaveli Avenue, through Freedom Square and ends at the Holy Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi (Georgian: თბილისის წმინდა სამების საკათედრო ტაძარი) commonly known as Sameba (Georgian: სამება for Trinity).
All photos courtesy of Tbilisi City Hall.
CLICK on the logo to visit GEORGIA ABOUT on Facebook and see photos and news about Georgia. Click LIKE on the page and become a friend of GEORGIA ABOUT.
Comments
3 Responses to “About Celebrations – Alilo Procession”Trackbacks
Check out what others are saying...-
[…] 7 January, thousands of Georgians across the country take part in a religious procession called ‘Alilo’. Clergymen, parishioners and children dressed in Stikari (a traditional robe) carry crosses, […]
That is beautiful! Wonderful pictures. Hugs
Also you can see some nice Alilo photoes here: http://rena.ws/?p=1245