Orthodox Georgians are today celebrating Saint Barbara’s Day - the great Martyr who was tortured by her own father after she converted to Christianity.

A Divine Liturgy is underway at Georgian Orthodox Churches. 

Many Georgian orthodox believers celebrate the day but traditions are varied and comprise of superstitious and pagan rituals, despite Georgia being one of the oldest Christian counties in the world. The day is commonly known as Barbaroba.

Saint Barbara’s Day, celebrating the Great Martyr, has been celebrated in Georgia since the 9th Century. Barbaroba is connected with an old Georgian folk tradition to bake lobiani [bean bread]. Each year on December 17, Georgians cooking bean pies to show respect for Saint Barbara. 

Saint Barbara is a well-loved saint in Georgia and many churches are named after her, there are 4 in Tbilisi alone.