Hundreds of Children Baptized in Georgia’s 72nd Mass Ceremony
Patriarch Ilia continues tradition aimed at strengthening faith and supporting family life, adding 700 infants as his own godchildren.
TBILISI — A crowd of young children, accompanied by their parents, filled Tbilisi’s Holy Trinity Cathedral on Nov. 23, 2025, for the 72nd group baptism. Instituted by His Beatitude Patriarch Ilia of Georgia, the ceremony seeks to reinforce both faith and family commitment among Georgians.
According to reporting from Orthodoxia News Agency, approximately 700 children were baptized, bringing the total number of the Patriarch’s godchildren to over 50,000. The first mass baptism was held on Jan. 19, 2008, and the tradition includes a special focus on addressing low birth rates, with Patriarch Ilia pledging to baptize the third child (and subsequent children) of couples married in a religious ceremony.
Previously, UOJ reported that a procession was held in honor of St. Gabriel of Georgia.
