Alexy II Extends Christmas Greeetings

Interfax reports:

Moscow, January 7, Interfax - Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Alexy II extended Christmas greetings to all Orthodox Christians in a televised address on Sunday.

"Let us remember that the success of efforts to make the world surrounding us better does not depend on social cataclysms and upheavals. Rather, it depends on our spiritual health and emotional attitude, as well as on those good, though small, deeds we are able and must accomplish in the name of the great love of God," he said.

"Help your neighbor, wipe away tears from the eyes of those in grief, feed the hungry, comfort those in despair, and give the warmth of your soul to all people surrounding you. And your virtues will be accepted by God," the patriarch said.

What counts most today is the need to strengthen the institution of family, "which has always been the foundation of any country and a guarantee of its prosperity today and in the future," Alexy II said.

"That is why it is important to safeguard our family traditions and to nurture a caring attitude toward marriage, family and motherhood," the patriarch said, extending his best wishes to all people celebrating Christmas on January 7.

Mary Christmas Georgia!

(No, not Jimmy Carter's Georgia, though he did write a lovely book about Christmas in Plains, Georgia.)

Associated Press Sunday, January 7, 2007 (Tibilisi):

A colourful procession blocked central streets of Tbilisi on Sunday as Georgia's Christian Orthodox community celebrated Christmas.

Children and adults dressed in national costume marched through the streets holding church flags and singing the Christmas carol "Alilo," collecting gifts for charity on their way.

Onlookers bought sweets and other gifts to give to those who participated in the procession.
The gifts are traditionally distributed to orphanages.

The word "Alilo" in Georgian means "glory to God" and its tradition dates back to the fifth century.

Georgia is among other Christian Orthodox countries celebrating Christmas on January 7, and was one of the earliest countries to adopt Christianity in the 4th century.