“I wish to extend my warmest congratulations on the glorious celebration of Christ’s Nativity to every fellow citizen, every family, the whole of Georgia, and particularly to our compatriots abroad and all Orthodox Christians,” declared Georgia’s President, Mikheil Kavelashvili, to journalists at Holy Trinity Cathedral, where he attended the Christmas Liturgy.

According to Mikheil Kavelashvili, the Nativity of Christ is the greatest feast day for Christians.

“I wish to express particular gratitude to the Orthodox Church, to extend my congratulations to His Holiness, our Patriarch, and to express my appreciation for the fact that our faith stands so firmly and resolutely in our nation. I wish every citizen of Georgia, every compatriot, to be happy. Today is truly the greatest celebration for Christians, and I want us all to rejoice in today’s feast,” stated Mikheil Kavelashvili.

Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, Speaker of the Parliament Shalva Papuashvili, as well as members of the government and parliament, attended the Christmas service at Holy Trinity Cathedral alongside the President.

The Patriarchal Locum Tenens, Metropolitan Shio (Mujiri) of Senaki and Chkhorotsku, together with members of the Holy Synod and clergy, celebrated the solemn service. Before the commencement of the solemn Liturgy, the congregation gathered at Holy Trinity Cathedral heard the Patriarch’s Christmas Epistle.