Georgia: Georgians march in Tbilisi to mark Family Sanctity Day.

SHOTLIST: TBILISI, GEORGIA (MAY 17, 2026) 1. VARIOUS OF PARTICIPANTS MARCHING FROM KASHUETI CHURCH, ALONG SHOTA RUSTAVELI AVENUE, TO SAMEBA CATHEDRAL WHILE CARRYING GEORGIAN AND CHURCH FLAGS AND RELIGIOUS ITEMS IN LEADERSHIP OF CLERGYTBILISI, GEORGIA - MAY 17: A massive crowd marched through the Georgian capital of Tbilisi on Sunday, May 17, to mark the annual ‘Family Sanctity and Respect for Parents Day.’ The event, which former Orthodox Church Patriarch Ilia II initiated in 2014, drew government ministers, lawmakers, church officials, and citizens to promote traditional family values. Participants wearing traditional clothing carried Georgian and church flags while chanting religious hymns during the two-hour procession. The march began at the Kashueti Church on Shota Rustaveli Avenue and concluded at the Sameba Cathedral. The newly elected Orthodox Church Patriarch Shio III, President Mikheil Kavelashvili, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, and Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili welcomed the crowd at the cathedral courtyard. The political and religious leaders addressed the attendees, emphasizing the fundamental importance of the family structure in society. The event marked the first official liturgy led by Patriarch Shio III since his election earlier this month, following the passing of Ilia II in March. Religious dignitaries from various countries also attended the service to congratulate the new patriarch.