TIMELINE OF GEORGIAN HOLIDAYS
In this section you can find a short description of events, history and key dates of Georgian Republic
People in Georgia love their holidays and what is most important, know how to organize them so beautiful, delicious and joyfully, that you enjoy every minute of the festival, and then look forward to the next one.
“Bedoba ” – It is New Year’s second day (January 2nd) and is usually the continuation of the New Year’s feast. According to the old tradition, what happens on Bedoba, happens the whole next year, so cheerful mood is advised. Everybody tries to do their best and live their life as cheerful as they can. Negativity is prohibited.
Many Orthodox Christians annually celebrate Christmas Day on or near January 7 to remember Jesus Christ’s birth, described in the Christian Bible. This date works to the Julian calendar that pre-dates the Gregorian calendar, which is commonly observed.
It marks the baptism of Jesus Christ in the Jordan River by John the Baptist. In relation to the holiday religious services as well as water blessing rituals took place throughout the churches in the country. The Patriarch of Georgia Ilia II delivers solemn liturgy with the priesthood at Sameba, St. Trinity Cathedral. After the service, water is sanctified and distributed among the believers.
The Georgian Orthodox Church and all its worshipers celebrate St. Nino’s Day today. St. Nino, the Enlightener of Georgia and Equal to the Prophets, is one of the most iconic Saints for Georgian people. In the 4thCentury Nino preached Christianity in Georgia and in the year 327 Christianity was declared the state religion of Georgia.
On this spring day, the streets of cities are literally buried in flowers. They are sold at every step, and the demand still exceeds supply, because there is no one who doesn’t congratulate, mothers, grandmothers, wives on this day. The cult of the mother is sacred for Georgians.
Georgian women are so lucky! In March, they have two beautiful women’s holidays at once: Mother’s Day and International Women’s Day. The first holiday has been celebrated in the country recently, since 1991. In Tbilisi there are many interesting festivities: concerts, shows, charity events and folk festivals.
Commemoration of the April 9 tragedy 1989 (also known as Tbilisi Massacre, Tbilisi tragedy) when on Rustaveli Avenue, in Tbilisi an anti-Soviet demonstration was dispersed by the Soviet Army, resulting in 20 deaths and hundreds of injuries.
No wonder that amorous Georgians have on their calendar two holidays of love.
It is the favorite holiday of all the young, loving happy couples. On that day they give each other flowers and gifts, arrange surprises and romantic evenings. In Tbilisi, on this beautiful day are held concerts (only love songs), romantic shows and competitions.
The anniversary of Independence of Georgia is celebrated on May 26, on the day when Georgia first became a free state in 1918.The main state holiday in Georgia celebrated in a big way. Traditionally on this day takes place a solemn military parade and a grand gala concert. The military parade is held on the main street of Tbilisi – Rustaveli Avenue.
It is a Great Feast of the Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox and Eastern Catholic Churches which commemorates the “falling asleep” or death of Mary the Theotokos (“Mother of God”) , and her bodily resurrection before being taken up into heaven. It
After the festive service at the confluence of Aragvi and Kura rivers will be held mass christening of the people that has become a traditional part of holiday Svetitshovloba. On this day believers also visit the holy sites of Mtskheta: ancient monastery Dzhvari and ancient temples.
St George has always been especially honored and respected as a patron saint of Georgia and there are hundreds of churches dedicated to him. Georgian Orthodox Christians celebrate Saint George’s Day, Giorgoba, (Georgian: გიორგობა) twice a year; on May 6 and on 23 November.