The Georgian Orthodox Church celebrated St. George’s Day on November 23 with festive liturgies and the 72nd edition of its large-scale nationwide baptism, an event that has become a hallmark of the Church’s efforts to support families and strengthen religious life across the country.

St. George’s Day—known locally as Giorgoba—is both a national holiday and one of the most revered dates in the Georgian religious calendar. St. George the Victorious is honored not only as one of Christianity’s most venerated martyrs but also as a patron saint of the Georgian nation.

The main liturgy was held at the Holy Trinity Cathedral (Sameba) in Tbilisi, according to the Georgian Patriarchate. Metropolitan Shio of Senaki and Chkhorotsku, who delivered the homily, reminded worshippers of St. George’s symbolic role as a defender of good against evil. The date marks the martyrdom of St. George, who, according to Christian tradition, endured brutal torture, including being broken on the wheel.

The deep veneration of St. George in Georgia is rooted in the legacy of St. Nino, the country’s 4th-century enlightener and the figure credited with bringing Christianity to the region. Tradition holds that she was related to St. George and instructed the Georgian people to honor him with special devotion.

Metropolitan Shio emphasized that Georgia’s strength throughout centuries of invasions, wars, and even the atheist repression of the 20th century lay in the nation’s fidelity to its Christian heritage. “Georgia will be able to overcome future challenges only if it preserves its faith and remembers that the Lord has never abandoned it, even in the most difficult moments of history,” he said. He also noted that the celebration coincided with the 21st anniversary of the consecration of the Holy Trinity Cathedral, blessed by Patriarch Ilia II in 2004.

A major highlight of the day was the 72nd nationwide baptism, launched by Patriarch Ilia II in 2008 as a response to demographic concerns. Around 700 children were baptized during Sunday’s ceremony, the Patriarchate reported. Over the years, approximately 50,000 children have become godchildren of the Patriarch through this initiative.

Families eligible to take part in the mass baptism must have welcomed a third or subsequent child and must be married in the Church.

The celebrations reaffirmed both the religious significance of Giorgoba and the continuing role of the Georgian Orthodox Church in the country’s social and cultural life.