Mass rallies held in Georgia on Family Purity Day

On May 17, 2025, thousands of people participated in marches across Tbilisi and ten other cities in Georgia to mark Family Purity Day. According to Georgia News Agency, in the capital, columns of people carrying icons and Georgian flags walked from Rustaveli Avenue to the Holy Trinity Cathedral.

Participants expressed gratitude to Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia II of All Georgia, who initiated the establishment of the holiday 11 years ago.

Family Purity Day was instituted in 2014 as a counterbalance to the International Day Against Homophobia, which is also observed on May 17. In 2024, the Georgian government officially recognized May 17 as a public holiday and soon after adopted a law that effectively bans any LGBT-related demonstrations.

Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze stated that the march also represents “a reflection of the Georgian people's firm commitment to stand up for traditional values until the end.”

Metropolitan Shio (Mujiri), Locum Tenens of the Patriarchal Throne, celebrated the festive liturgy at Kashveti Church.

He urged attendees to reflect on the meaning and importance of the family and, addressing the participants of the march, advocated for legislative restrictions on abortion.

“We must move toward adopting laws that will regulate and tighten this issue,” the hierarch said. He added that norms “that more or less restrict abortion” are being adopted in EU countries, and that 10 U.S. states have already completely banned the practice.

Before implementing similar laws, Metropolitan Shio suggested beginning with awareness-raising efforts, such as holding talks with high school girls about the psychological and physiological harm of abortion.

“If a country fails to take action, it means it is in a mode of self-destruction, and nothing good awaits it,” he concluded.

As previously reported by the UOJ, the Patriarch of Georgia has called on Donald Trump to defend traditional Christian values.