On November 22, 2024, the feast of St. George, the heavenly patron of Georgia, the 70th General Baptism ceremony took place at the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Tbilisi. The event, organized by the Georgian Patriarchate, also marked the 20th anniversary of the cathedral’s consecration.

His Holiness Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia Ilia II baptized 700 children during the ceremony, welcoming them as his godchildren. Since the inception of this tradition in 2008, over 48,000 children have been baptized by the Patriarch.

The General Baptism tradition is reserved for the third and subsequent children born to parents married in the Church, emphasizing the sanctity of Christian marriage and the value of large families.

In his sermon, Patriarch Ilia II congratulated the attendees on St. George’s Day and reflected on the saint’s steadfast faith and courage in the face of trials, reminding all of God’s ever-present support.

During the ceremony, the Patriarch and congregation recited the troparion dedicated to St. George:

“Liberator of captives and defender of the poor, healer of the sick, and protector of Christians, great martyr and victorious George, pray to Christ God for the salvation of our souls.”

The troparion was repeated several times, reinforcing its message of hope and intercession.

The Patriarch also shared a poignant story from the communist era about an act of kindness toward a struggling nobleman in a Batumi church. This story served as a reminder of the power of compassion and God’s ability to work miracles through human generosity.

This 70th ceremony was a celebration of both tradition and the enduring faith of the Georgian people. The Patriarch blessed the children, their families, and the nation, praying for their spiritual and worldly prosperity, under the protection of St. George.