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The first Divine Liturgy of Patriarch Georgia in the Diocese of Senaki and Tschorotskoutranslated

July 8, 2026 · 1 min read

On July 7, 2026, the Orthodox Church in Georgia celebrated with dazzling splendor the Birthday of the Holy Prophet John the Baptist, in the Episcopate of Senaki and Tschorotskou. The solemn Divine Liturgy was celebrated at the Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist in Senaki by His Beatitude the Patriarch of Georgia, Mr. Sio C'.

Members of the Holy Synod and a number of clergy collaborated with His Beatitude.

After the service, the Primate of the Georgian Church blessed the faithful and delivered a sermon, in which he spoke about the significance of the holiday. After the sermon, His Beatitude once again blessed the faithful and offered icons of Saint Alexios as gifts to those gathered in the Cathedral.

It is worth noting that it is the first Divine Liturgy of His Beatitude in the Diocese of Senaki after his election as Patriarch of Georgia.

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💬 Comments (23) 🌐 Show original

Olivia Campbell

Sounds like a beautiful day in Senaki. First Liturgy there since he became Patriarch must have felt special, especially on St. John’s feast. I love that he gave out icons of St. Alexis afterward.

Grace Bennett

The icons of St. Alexis were a nice touch after the sermon. First Liturgy in Senaki as Patriarch on the Forerunner’s day must have been memorable for everyone there. Did you go, Olivia?

Цветанка Илиева

It is good that his first mass in the Senac Diocese is exactly on the birthday of St. John the Baptist. The icons of Rev. Alexius are a nice gift, especially after the sermon. Who is this Saint Alexius who was handing them out?

Elisabeth Wagner

It's nice that the first liturgy of the new patriarch took place exactly on the feast of St. John the Baptist in Senaki. I think the icons of St. Alexios as a gift afterwards are a good idea, especially after the sermon. Does anyone know which saint Alexios they mean - the man of God or another?

Κώστας Παπαγεωργίου

Happy the first Liturgy of the Patriarch of Zion in Senaki exactly on the day of the Prodromos. The images of Saint Alexios that he distributed after the sermon are a nice idea, as a small blessing for the faithful to take with them. Who is this Saint Alexios? I don't remember him right away.

Богдана Митева

It is good that his first mass in the Senac Diocese is precisely on the Nativity of St. John the Baptist. The icons of Rev. Alexius after the sermon are a nice memory for people. Who is this Saint Alexius they were handing out - the man who lived as a beggar in Rome?

Laura Clark

The icons of St. Alexis were a lovely personal touch, especially on the feast of the Forerunner. I didn’t make it to Senaki myself this year, but our parish here followed the service online and the sermon sounded very grounded. Did the crowd stay long after the blessing, Grace?

Мария Колева

Well said, Tsvetanke. Venerable Alexius was from Mansura, a Syrian who lived as a hermit in Rome in the 5th century and then returned to his homeland. His icons are indeed a fitting memory after such a sermon about the repentance and humility of the Baptist. Do you have any idea why he was chosen for this day?

Γιώργος Βασιλείου

Yes Kostas, I agree, choosing Saint Alexios was smart to give something tangible to the faithful. It is about Saint Alexios the Man of God, the one who left a rich home, lived poor for 17 years under the stairs of his house without being recognized, and died holding a piece of paper with his story. He is one of the saints who show humility in action. How did you remember him?

Στέλιος Νικολαΐδης

Yes, Agios Alexios is one of those who make you think about how little man needs after all. I was struck by the moment he died and they found the paper – as if he'd been waiting his whole life to say 'this is what I've done'. How do you think his own humiliation helps us today, with everything going on around us?

Κατερίνα Παπαδοπούλου

Yes, Saint Alexios is one of those saints who make you a little ashamed of your complaints. I'm always left with that "unrecognized" – as if to say that humiliation needs no spectators. How do you think we could apply it in our daily life, e.g. at school or in the family?

Αγγελική Παναγιωτοπούλου

Yes, Saint Alexios shows exactly that hidden humility that does not expect applause. It often comes to mind for me when I cook for church and no one notices – as if to say "it's okay". How do you think it could help our children today when everything is on social media?

Μαρία Παππά

Yes, Saint Alexios' hidden humility fits very well with the cooking you say - when I make something suitable for the church I often do it without telling anyone. For our social media kids, I think it would do them good to see that true value isn't measured in likes. How do you explain it to your children?

Παναγιώτης Χατζής

Yes, the hidden humility of Saint Alexios is exactly what is missing today. I simply tell my grandchildren (my brother's children) that God sees the heart first and then the likes, and I show them the picture I have in the garden. How do you make the sourdough, with yeast or sourdough?

Σπύρος Γεωργίου

Yes, the humiliation of Saint Alexios is one of the most powerful lessons. In my own years, I learned to bake the prosphora only with sourdough, as my grandmother from the village showed me – it comes out fluffier and keeps better. How do you do it with the grandchildren, do you take them along to the baking?

Χρήστος Βασιλείου

Yes, the humiliation of Saint Alexios needs to be constantly reminded, especially to children. I show my grandchildren the picture I have at home after football, not in the garden, and I tell them that Saint left the riches to remain unknown. I only make it with sourdough, like my mother from Volos - it comes out lighter. Do you put any spices in it?

Πέτρος Λαμπρόπουλος

Saint Alexios indeed shows how little man needs. For my grandchildren, I have the picture next to the tool box of the car and I tell them to remember the humiliation when working with their hands. I also make the prosphora only with leaven, without anything in it, as we learned a long time ago - it comes out simpler and more honest. Since when do you make it like this?

Νίκη Βασιλείου

St. Alexius reminds us of just that, Peter, how little one needs to live honestly. I've been making it with sourdough ever since I went to my grandmother's in the villages outside Thessaloniki, around fifteen. Your grandkids are lucky you tell them it's next to the toolbox – I put it in the kitchen cupboard and look at it every Saturday when I'm kneading.

Δήμητρα Δημητρίου

You are right Niki, Saint Alexios really teaches you to live with little and honestly. I still keep the sourdough in a jar from my mother-in-law, I put it behind the compotes in the cupboard. How many years have you had yours now?

Χριστίνα Θεοδώρου

Yes, the story of Saint Alexios is very suitable for children, Use. I, after walking to Sheikh Shu, take my nieces and show them the picture next to the bookshelf, saying how he left everything to live simply. I make it with sourdough but I add a little cinnamon when I knead, it comes out more aromatic. Have you ever tried it that way?

Χρήστος Μακρής

Well said Niki, Agios Alexios shows exactly how little is needed. I keep the sourdough in a plastic container in the fridge, because over the years I've learned that it stays more stable there. How long have you had yours now?

Νίκος Σταθόπουλος

My sourdough is now three years old and I keep it in a glass jar in the fridge, as my grandmother told me. I don't change it often, only when it starts to smell a little sour. How often do you renew yours?

Ελένη Οικονόμου

My sourdough is two and a half years old now and I also keep it in a plastic container in the fridge, because it doesn't take up space. I refresh it every time I bake bread, adding a little flour and water. Do you use it more for bread or for sweets?