Orthodox Christians in Georgia and across the world are celebrating the Epiphany today, January 19, during which the Georgian Orthodox Church holds a mass baptism and conducts water blessing rituals.

Catholicos Patriarch of All Georgia Ilia II together with Shio Mujiri, Patriarch's locum tenens, and members of the Holy Synod will hold a festive liturgy at Holy Trinity Cathedral in central Tbilisi at 10:00am.

After the liturgy, a water blessing ceremony will be held in the yard of the Holy Trinity Cathedral, led by Patriarch Ilia II.

Those who attend the liturgy are sprinkled with holy water, which they can also take home and drink during the year. It is believed the holy water contains immortal features of the river Jordan. In times of sickness or trouble, believers can drink the water to ease their discomfort.

Epiphany is one of the 12 main Christian feasts that celebrate the revelation of the Son of God - Jesus Christ. The occasion commemorated the baptism of Jesus Christ in the Jordan River by John the Baptist.