Georgian President urged to develop religious tourism in the country

On July 15, Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili took part in the celebrations in the city of Zugdidi, held on the occasion of the Vlakernoba national holiday, where, together with other believers, she venerated the great shrine - the Robe of the Most Holy Theotokos. This was reported by the Sputnik Georgia agency.

Addressing the representatives of the Orthodox clergy and laity at the end of the festive service to the representatives of the Orthodox clergy and the laity, who gathered on the holiday for common prayer in the church, the President of Georgia said about the need to develop pilgrimage routes and centers in the country: “We have many holy places in Georgia ... Georgia can become one of the beautiful places for religious tourism. The tourism agency and the Patriarchate should work on this. ”
The 'Vlakernoba' holiday is celebrated annually on July 15, on the day of the Placing of the venerable Robe of the Most Holy Theotokos in Blachernae. This day is celebrated especially solemnly in Zugdidi, where the great shrine is located. Salome Zurabishvili noted in her speech the special role of this holiday for the believers of Georgia: “Probably, Zugdidi and Mtskheta are both holy places that every Georgian should visit ... I urge everyone to take part in Vlakernoba at least once: this is very important. The Robe of the Mother of God is for us one of the great shrines, which, by the way, unites us with Abkhazia. '
Let us remind you that on the Feast of the Position of the Honorable Robe of the Most Holy Theotokos in Blachernae, this shrine, which is in the historical palace of the Dadiani princes in Zugdidi, ahead of the solemn procession, the participants of which glorify the Lord God, follows to the Cathedral of the Blachernae Icon of the Mother of God, where after the solemn service it can be attached to it every believer.

Photo: Sputnik Georgia