1. Holidays in Georgia
Christmas.
The Georgian orthodox Church, like some other Orthodox churches including the one in
Russia, observes Christmas on January 7 because it retained the Julian calendar.
By midnight people in Georgia towns and villages come to the night service. The country
leaders and famous public figures come to the Sameba (Saint Trinity) Cathedral in Avlabari area.
The church is the main authority in this country, a most ancient Orthodox state. The Patriarch`s
words are looked forward to. He delivers his address via the Synod.
As catholicos-Patriarch Ilya II stated, Orthodox Georgia is happy to celebrate the Holy
Christmas and “ is praying for remittance of its own sins and the sins of others”. The nation`s
godfather reminded people of their rights and responsibilities admonishing against propaganda
and violence.
There is a special respect for Christmas and the way to celebrate it. Each family cooks festive
meals.
On Christmas night children gaher to go round carol-singing with baskets and bags.
New Year.
New Year`s Day is the first day of the year. On the modern Georgian calendar, it is celebrated on
January 1, as it was also in ancient Rome ( though other dates were also used in Rome). In all
countries except for Israel using the Gregorian calendar as their main calendar, it is a public
holiday, often celebrated with fireworks at the stroke of midnight as the New Year starts. January
1 on the Julian calendar corresponds to January 14 on the Gregorian calendar, and it is on that
followers of some of the eastern orthodox churches celebrate the New Year.
Easter.
Ester is in memory of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It falls on the first Sunday after the first
full moon between march 22 and April 25.
Esater is a church holiday and many churches have an outdoor Sunrise Service. People give
each other eggs painted red as symbols of new life. The 40 days before Easter are called lent.
Just before easter, schools and colleges usually close. The students have a week or ten days of
spring vacation.
Independence Day.
On Monday 16th Georgia people celebrate Independence Day because on Monday 26th 1918
Georgia was liberated from domination of Tsarist Russia and became a democratic independent
country. Unfortunately this Independent state had lasted only for three years. In 1921 Georgia
was annexed by Russia and the Soviet power was established .
After declaring independence of Georgia in 1991 this holiday is held annually. A number of
activities are organized to celebtarte this day. Bands play patriotic marches in parades.
Politicians and public men make speeches about freedom. There are patriotic readings and music
in the streets and parks.

2. Svetitskhovloba.
On the 14th of October Orthodox Georgian churches celebrate Svetitskhovloba. At the same
time the day of the king Mirian and the Quuen Nana (the first king and queen declaring
Christianity as an official religion in Georgia) is celebratd. As the legend says after the
crusifiction the shroud of Christ went to Elioz Longiroz who brought it to Mtskheta. Elios` sister
Sidonia embraced the shroud of Christ and died. She was buried together with it. On her grave a
cypress grew.
During the reign of the king Mirian in the 4th century A.D. on the place of the cypress a
church was decided to be built. One of the post of that was made of the above cypress did not
obey the church builders but by the prayers of the ST. Nino the pole rose on the height of 12
meters. The whole Mtskheta gathered to see the miracle. The pole was miraculous.
The Catholicos-Patriarch of the whole Georgia Ilya the II conduct a celebrative liturgical
ceremony on account of this day in Svetitskhiveli.
Mother`s Day.
Mother`s Day is marked on March 3 in Georgia. The date is announced as official day-off.
The day was declared by Georgia`s first democratically elected president
Zviad Gamsakhurdia back in the 1990s.
Traditionally mothers receive a Mother`s Day card, gifts, flowers, lavishes of love and praise,
and acts of kindness-particularly a day away from their regular material duties and other.
Several markets and shops are opened in connection with the date, since flowers are the
common presents for mothers today.
International Women`s Day.
International Women`s Day is marked on the 8th of March every year. It is an major day of
global celebration of women. In different regions the focus of the celebrations ranges from
general celebration of respect, appreciation and love towards women to a celebration for
women`s economic, political and social achievements.
Started as a social event, the holiday blended in the culture of many countries, primarily
Eastern Europe, Russia and the former Soveit bloc. In many regions,t the day lost its political
flavour, and became simply an occasion for men to express their love for women in a way
somewhat similar to a mixture of Mother`s Day and St. Valentine`s Day.