Georgian Orthodox Church celebrates Epiphany

Orthodox Christians in Georgia and worldwide are celebrating one of the major Christian feasts Epiphany today during which water blessing rituals and a mass baptism are held in the churches. 

The Epiphany commemorates the baptism of Jesus Christ in the Jordan River by John the Baptist.

The festive liturgy is conducted in the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Tbilisi. After the liturgy, a great water blessing ceremony will be held in the yard of the Cathedral, led by Patriarch Ilia II. 

People attending the ceremony will be sprinkled with holy water and will be able to take some holy water home. It is believed the holy water contains immortal features of the river Jordan and is blessed by God. 

It is also believed the water of Epiphany is full of healing properties and can purify you of your sins and in times of sickness or trouble, believers can drink the water to help aid them in their discomfort.

Epiphany is one of the 12 main Christian feasts which is also called the Feast of the Revelation of God. It is a public holiday in the country today as the majority of Georgia’s population is Orthodox Christian.