Viktor Yushchenko, the leader of Ukraine`s "orange revolution," will become godfather to a son of his Georgian counterpart, the leader of the "rose revolution," Thursday, according to RIA Novosti.
President Mikheil Saakashvili timed the baptism of his younger 11-month-old son, Nikoloz, to coincide with the third anniversary of the "rose revolution," a popular uprising that brought the Western-educated politician to power in 2003, the Georgian TV company Rustavi-2 said.
Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko holds a son of his Georgian counterpart Mikheil Saakashvili (R) Nikoloz as, ballerina Nina Ananiashvili puts a cross on a baby during a ceremony of christening in a church in Tbilisi, 23 November 2006. President Mikheil Saakashvili timed the baptism of his younger 11-month-old son, Nikoloz, to coincide with the third anniversary of the 'rose revolution'. Viktor Yushchenko, the leader of Ukraine's 'orange revolution,' become a godfather to a son of his Georgian counterpart, the leader of the 'rose revolution.'
Viktor Yushchenko, Saakashvili`s revolutionary "brother," who came to power on the back of the "orange revolution" a year later, will arrive in Georgia for the event.
The other godparent will be the world-famous ballet dancer and the art director of the Tbilisi academic opera and ballet theater, Nino Ananiashvili.
Saakashvili, 38, who has a Dutch-born wife, will meet Yushchenko at the airport, and then the two presidents will head to the St. Trinity Cathedral to attend a liturgy marking St. George`s Day and the baptism ceremony.
Both Saakashvili and Yushchenko are striving for the integration of their countries with NATO. Georgia was involved in a harsh spat with Russia following the arrest of four Russian officers on spying charges in September, while Ukraine had its own row with Russia at the beginning of 2006 over natural gas prices.
Saakashvili stands next to presidential candidate Viktor Yushchenko during the Orange revolution of 2004
Georgia marks the day of its patron, St. George, locally called Giorgoba, twice a year, November 23 and May 6.
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