Special liturgy services were held at all Georgian this day of August 2, 2020.The Annunciation is one of the most important days in the Christian religious calendar.

The Head of the Georgian church Patriarch Ilia II led a service at the Holy Trinity Cathedral in capital Tbilisi. Orthodox churches around Georgia and believers celebrated the holy day of Annunciation that is a Christian celebration of the announcement by the angel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary that she would conceive and be the mother of Jesus, the Son of God.

It is quite common among many Orthodox Christians to celebrate the feast day of the saint after whom they were named. In English this is called one’s “Name Day” or “Patronal Feast Day.” The Russian term for this would translate as “Angel Day.” When greeting someone on their Name Day one would say, “S Dnyom Angelom,” which literally translated means “With the Day of the Angel.”

The liturgy was attended by almost all the members of the holy synod, there was officially announced before the whole parish the Archdeacon Demetre stated: "Now a word of greeting from the Head of the Royal House of Georgia, HRH Prince Nugzar Bagrationi-Gruzinski". After that Prince Nugzar gave his wonderful speech and then bestowed upon HH the Patriarch the Royal Order of King Erekle the Second.This ceremony was broadcasted by TV.

Following a speech delivered by the President of the Georgian Parliament, the official broadcaster of the Georgian Patriarchy made the following announcement: “the Head of the Royal House of Georgia, HRH Prince Nugzar Bagrationi-Gruzinski bestowed upon His Holiness the Patriarch of Georgia the Royal Order of King Erekle II”.

After the church ceremony Crown Prince together with the chancellor of King Erekle's Order Mr. Giorgi Shiukashvili was attending an event in the Patriarchy where the Crown Prince together with the Patriarch Ilia II were sitting at the head of the solemn table.

HRH Crown Prince Nugzar´s speech

"Your Holiness! On behalf of the Royal Family of Georgia, with love in Christ and with utmost respect, we congratulate you on this day! Your Holiness: as you aware, this year we celebrate the 300th anniversary of our great-great grandfather, the great Georgian King Erekle II. The Royal Family has established the Order of King Erekle II, and we know how much You, Your Holiness, have particular respect to this great King, Moreover, I also know how much your blessed parents loved him, so much that they named you after him.

Therefore, today, for the first time, we wish to bestow this Order upon You, the Order which was created by the great support of an honourable gentleman and patriot Giorgi Shiukashvili. We again congratulate You for this honour!”