> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://uoj.news/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# Hundreds of Children Baptized in Georgia’s 72nd Mass Ceremony
- URL: https://uoj.news/news/85752-hundreds-of-children-baptized-in-georgias-72nd-mass-ceremony/
- Published: 2025-12-04T12:30:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-25T16:09:06.000Z
- Description: Patriarch Ilia continues tradition aimed at strengthening faith and supporting family life, adding 700 infants as his own godchildren.
- Author: News
- Tags: #Category: News, Baptism, Georgian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Ilia II

**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](https://www.orthodoxianewsagency.gr/patriarxeia/patriarxio%5Fgeorgias/tiflida-i-72i-omadiki-vaptisi-nipion-ston-kathedriko-nao-agias-triados/), 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](https://uoj.news/news/85541-procession-held-in-honor-of-st-gabriel-of-georgia/) that a procession was held in honor of St. Gabriel of Georgia.

![](https://uoj.news/content/images/2025/12/85752-hundreds-of-children-baptized-in-georgias-72nd-mass-ceremony-image-407992530c71.jpg)

![](https://uoj.news/content/images/2025/12/85752-hundreds-of-children-baptized-in-georgias-72nd-mass-ceremony-image-1-c85b461f15bc.jpg)

![](https://uoj.news/content/images/2025/12/85752-hundreds-of-children-baptized-in-georgias-72nd-mass-ceremony-image-2-7c27616ba6a9.jpg)

![](https://uoj.news/content/images/2025/12/85752-hundreds-of-children-baptized-in-georgias-72nd-mass-ceremony-image-3-5c1b88a1f818.jpg)