In connection with the Christmas holiday, the procession of Alilo is taking place in Tbilisi. A group of believers and singers started the procession from the square of the First Republic.

According to Archimandrite Ioane Mchedlishvili, the collected food will be given to old people's shelters and orphanages.

"I congratulate all Orthodox Christians on Christmas. This holiday is specially celebrated in all temples. We heard His Holiness's Christmas Epistle. This holiday is also connected with the tradition of lighting a candle near the window, by which people invite the Lord Jesus Christ into their family. Also, the tradition of Alilo, which is particularly important. On this day, various food is collected for people in need, and what is collected will be distributed to old people's shelters and children's homes in the following days", said Archimandrite Ioane Mchedlishvili.

As the participants in the procession noted, the procession will end at the Trinity Cathedral, where the Christmas prayer will be performed.

The tradition of the Alilo procession was revived in 2000 with the blessing of the patriarch.