15 Jan 2020 12:12

Georgian patriarch becomes godfather to another 500 children

TBILISI. Jan 15 (Interfax) - Catholicos-Patriarch of Georgia Ilia II held the 62nd mass christening of children in the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Tbilisi on Tuesday.

Another 521 children have become the patriarch's godchildren, the public relations service of the Georgian patriarch told reporters.

Ilia II is now godfather to more than 40,000 children in Georgia, the service said.

Ilia II held the first mass christening of children on January 19, 2008. The patriarch may become godfather to the third child born to people who were married in the church, and may become godfather to all subsequent children, as well. The purpose of Ilia II's initiative is to improve the demographic situation in Georgia.