Georgians mark 'Family Purity and Respect for Parents’

TBILISI, GEORGIA - MAY 17: Thousands gathered in Georgia’s capital, Tbilisi, on Saturday, May 17, for a march marking "Family Purity and Parents' Respect Day," an annual event promoting traditional family values under the patronage of the Georgian Orthodox Church. The demonstration, initiated by Patriarch Ilia II of the Georgian Orthodox Church, saw widespread participation from government officials, clergy, and citizens. Among the attendees were Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, President Mikheil Kavelaishvili, and Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili, alongside ministers, lawmakers, and church representatives. Participants, dressed in traditional Georgian attire, carried national and religious flags while singing hymns during the two-hour procession. The march began at the Kashveti Church of St. George on Shota Rustaveli Avenue and concluded at the Holy Trinity Cathedral (Sameba), with families and even tourists joining the event. In a speech delivered at the Holy Trinity Cathedral, Prime Minister Kobakhidze praised the observance of the day, stressing the importance of safeguarding national and religious traditions. Metropolitan Shio of Senaki and Chkhorotsku, a high-ranking cleric and heir to the Georgian Orthodox Patriarchate, also addressed the crowd, emphasizing the role of the family in society. He cited Georgia’s 2024 ban on LGBT propaganda as a key measure in upholding what he described as "true family values." "Family Purity and Parents' Respect Day" has been celebrated nationwide since 2014 under the guidance of the Georgian Orthodox Church, featuring religious services, public gatherings, and cultural events. (Footage by Davit Kachkachishvili/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)