Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Georgian Church Leader Sparks a Baby Boom

By Harry Kimball,  Newser Staff

Posted Mar 26, 2009 6:10 PM CDT
Email

(Newser) – A little divine intervention has apparently helped a city in the nation of Georgia give its population a boost. Two years ago, faced with a stagnant birth rate, the head of Georgia’s Orthodox Church pledged to personally baptize any child born to parents with more than two other kids. The results are “a miracle,” says the church. The birth rate increased by 20% in 2008, 4 times as much as the year before, the BBC reports.

“There's no doubt in my mind that we had Giviko because of the patriarch's incentive,” one mother said of Ilia II’s initiative. “To have a child baptized by the patriarch is so very special.” Though the incentive has likely helped in a country that is 80% Orthodox, others think the improving economy might also have played a role. “Who is now creating families?” a government official asked. “People who five years ago were out of work.”

Georgia's Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia II.
Georgia's Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia II.   (AP Photo)
Georgia's Orthodox Church Patriarch Ilia II.
Georgia's Orthodox Church Patriarch Ilia II.   (AP Photo)
A man holds a baby waiting to be baptized during a mass baptism ceremony in the Aragvi River at the ancient Georgian capital Mtskheta.
A man holds a baby waiting to be baptized during a mass baptism ceremony in the Aragvi River at the ancient Georgian capital Mtskheta.   (AP Photo)
A Georgian Orthodox priest baptizes a baby during a mass baptism.
A Georgian Orthodox priest baptizes a baby during a mass baptism.   (AP Photo)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Showing 1 of 1 comment
hannesh
Mar 27, 2009 8:25 AM CDT
Not all countries have been enjoying margaritas before the recession. In some smaller countries there were big booms before some things went sour. And when you had very little, got a handful and then lost some, then your better off than before. It's relative.

 
Europe • Georgia • Orthodox Christianity • birth rate • baptism • Patriarch Ilia II • Howard Stern Grid

More Newser Stories

Russia Warns Against Ice Baptisms

Decriminalize Incest? Romania Is Not Alone

EU Snubs Talks on New Russia Pact

Russians Cut Georgia in Half
NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne