The Georgian Orthodox and Apostolic Church is one of the world's most ancient Christian Churches, founded in the 1st century by the Apostle Andrew. Official Logo of the Patriarchate of the Georgian Orthodox Church This is a copyrighted and/or trademarked logo. ... (1st century BC - 1st century - 2nd century - other centuries) The 1st century was that century which lasted from 1 to 99. ... Alternate meanings: See Apostle (Mormonism), The Apostle (1997 movie) The Apostles were Jewish men chosen from among the disciples, who were sent forth (as indicated by the Greek word απόστολος apostolos= messenger), by Jesus to preach the Gospel to both Jews and Gentiles, across the world. ... Andrew - Wikipedia /**/ @import /skins/monobook/IE50Fixes. ...

Christianity in Ancient and Feudal Georgia

The Apostle Andrew the First-called went to preach in Georgia with the Holy Mother's Uncreated Icon (an icon of the Virgin Mary that tradition holds was not made by human hands). Affection for the Theotokos runs very deep in Georgian Orthodox consciousness. Georgian Orthodox tradition holds that Georgia is a country alloted to Mary, the mother of Jesus and that she is the main protector and intercessor, thereof. Together with Saint Andrew, the Gospel was preached in Western Georgia by the Holy Apostle Simon the Canaanite who was then buried there near Sokhumi, in the village of Comani. Another Holy Apostle, Saint Mathias, preached in the southwest of Georgia and was buried in Gonio, a village not far from Batumi. Some Christian sources point also to the fact of the Holy Apostles Bartholomew and Thaddeus being in Georgia. Saint Andrew (Greek: Andreas, manly), the Christian Apostle, brother of Saint Peter, was born at Bethsaida on the Lake of Galilee. ... The Savior Not Made By Hands (1410s, by Andrei Rublev) An icon (from Greek εικων, eikon, image) is an artistic visual representation or symbol of anything considered holy and divine, such as God, saints or deities. ... Russian Orthodox Icon of the Theotokos Theotokos is a Greek word that means God-bearer or Mother of God. It is a title assigned by the early Christian Church to Mary, the mother of Jesus, at the Third Ecumenical Council held at Ephesus in 431. ... Georgia ( Georgian: საქართველო Sakartvelo), known from 1991 to 1995 as the Republic of Georgia, is a country to the east of the Black Sea in the southern Caucasus. ... In Christianity and Islam, Mary (Judæo-Aramaic מרים Maryām Bitter; Septuagint Greek Μαριαμ, Mariam, Μαρια, Maria; Arabic: Maryem, مريم) is the mother of Jesus and the betrothed of Joseph. ... For the genre of Christian-themed music, see gospel music. ... The apostle Simon the Canaanite (called Simon the Zealot in Luke 6:15 and Acts 1:13; שמעון Hearkening; listening, Standard Hebrew Šimʿon, Tiberian Hebrew Šimʿôn) was one of the more obscure among the apostles of Jesus, of whom little is recorded aside from his name. ... Sukhumi is the capital of Abkhazia, a de facto independent state that is internationally recognised, however, as being part of Georgia. ... A view of Batumi, circa, 1911, towards the mountains Batumi (also Batum or Batoum) is a seaside city (population: approximately 137,000) on the Black Sea coast and capital of Ajaria, an autonomous republic in southwest Georgia. ... Michelangelos The Last Judgement shows Saint Bartholomew holding the knife of his martyrdom and his flayed skin. ... Thaddeus (Greek Thaddaios) Saint Jude is one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus referred to in Matthew and Mark. ...

The Apostle Andrew established the first Georgian Eparchy in Atskuri (South-West Georgia). In the Roman Empire, an eparchy was one of the political subdivisions of the Empire. ...

The oldest Georgian church was constructed in the beginning of the 3rd century, in the village Nastakisi (Kartli province of Eastern Georgia). (2nd century - 3rd century - 4th century - other centuries) Events The Sassanid dynasty of Persia launches a war to reconquer lost lands in the Roman east. ... Kartli is the largest and most populated province of Eastern Georgia. ...

Since 303, Equal-to-the-Apostles Saint Nino of Cappadocia (left) preached Christianity in the Georgian kingdom of Iberia (Eastern Georgia). In 317 it was adopted as the state religion by the rulers of Iberia, King (later Saint) Mirian II and Queen (later Saint) Nana. West Georgia, then part of the Roman Empire, became Christianised in a gradual process that was complete by the 6th century. Western Georgian Kingdom of Egrisi declared Christianity as the state religion in 523. The country adopted Saint George as its patron saint. Saint Nino File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Events Diocletian launched the last major persecution of Christians in the Roman Empire; Hierocles was said to have been the instigator of the fierce persecution of the Christians under February 24 - Galerius, Roman Emperor, publishes his edict that begins the persecution of Christians in his portion of the Empire. ... According to a pious tradition, Iberia, also called Georgia, is the particular province of the Immaculate Mother of God. ... Cappadocia in 188 BC In ancient geography, Cappadocia was an extensive inland district of Asia Minor (modern Turkey). ... Caucasian Iberia is the term designated to the Kingdom of Iberia (4th century BC–5th century AD) established in Eastern Georgia by the Georgians (Kartvelians). ... Events Jin Yuan Di succeeds Jin Min Di; end of the western and beginning of the eastern Jin Dynasty King Marian II of Iberia declares Christianity the official state religion Births February _ Constantine II, Roman Emperor Deaths Categories: 317 ... The Roman Empire is not the Holy Roman Empire (843-1806). ... (5th century — 6th century — 7th century — other centuries) Events The first academy of the east the Academy of Gundeshapur founded in Persia by the Persian Shah Khosrau I. Irish colonists and invaders, the Scots, began migrating to Caledonia (later known as Scotland) Glendalough monastery, Wicklow Ireland founded by St. ... Egrisi (or Kolkheti) was a kingdom in the western part of Georgia, which flourished between the 6th century BC and the 7th century AD. It was covered the territory of the former kingdom Kolkha (Colchis) and the territory of modern Abkhazia). ... Events August 13 - John succeeds Hormisdas as Pope. ... For alternate uses, see Saint George (disambiguation) Saint George on horseback rides alongside a wounded dragon being led by a princess, late 19th century engraving. ...

Georgian Christianity was heavily influenced by the form practiced in the Byzantine Empire and is considered to be part of the wider tradition represented by the Eastern Orthodox Church. From the 320s, the Georgian Orthodox Church was under the jurisdiction of the Apostolic See of Antioch. The Georgian Orthodox Church become autocephalous (independent) in 466 when the Patriarchate of Antioch elevated the Bishop of Mtskheta to the rank of Catholicos of Kartli. In 1010 the Catholicos of Kartli was elevated to the honor of Patriarch. From then on, the premier hierarch of the Georgian Orthodox Church carried the official title of Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia. The Byzantine Empire is the term conventionally used to describe the Roman Empire during the Middle Ages, centered at its capital in Constantinople. ... The Eastern Orthodox Church is a Christian body whose adherents are largely based in Eastern Europe and the Middle East, with a growing presence in the western world. ... This is about one of the cities called Antioch in Asia Minor, now Turkey. ... In hierarchical Christian churches, especially Eastern Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox churches, autocephaly is the status of a hierarchical church whose head bishop does not report to any higher-ranking bishop. ... Events Huns invade Dacia but are repelled by Leo I of the Byzantine Empire Euric succeeds his brother Theodorid II as king of the Visigoths Peter the Fuller deposed as Patriarch of Antioch; Julian elected as his successor. ... Bishop (disambiguation). ... Mtskheta is one of oldest cities of the republic of Georgia (in Kartli province of Eastern Georgia), near Tbilisi. ... Events The Ly Dynasty in Vietnam is established (or 1009). ... -1... His Holiness and Beatitude Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia is the head of the Georgian Orthodox and Apostolic Church. ...

Between the 6th and 9th centuries, Georgia underwent a cultural transformation as monastiscism flourished. Important monasteries were founded at a number of locations, notably the Iveron monastery on Mount Athos in Greece, where many important religious works were translated from Greek into Georgian. Significant works of hagiographic literature were also produced in Georgian, such as the "Life of Saint Nino" and "Martyrdom of the Holy Queen Shushanik". (5th century — 6th century — 7th century — other centuries) Events The first academy of the east the Academy of Gundeshapur founded in Persia by the Persian Shah Khosrau I. Irish colonists and invaders, the Scots, began migrating to Caledonia (later known as Scotland) Glendalough monastery, Wicklow Ireland founded by St. ... ( 8th century - 9th century - 10th century - other centuries) Events Beowulf might have been written down in this century, though it could also have been in the 8th century Reign of Charlemagne, and concurrent (and controversially labeled) Carolingian Renaissance in western Europe Viking attacks on Europe begin Oseberg ship burial The... One of the 20 monasteries on Mount Athos Mount Athos is a mountain and a peninsula in Macedonia, northern Greece, called Άγιο Όρος (Ayio Oros or Holy Mountain) in Modern Greek, or Ἅγιον Ὄρος (Hagion Oros) in Classical Greek. ... Greece, officaly called the Hellenic Republic (Greek: Ελληνική Δημοκρατία), is a country in the southeast of Europe on the southern tip of the Balkan peninsula. ...

Well-known centers of Christian culture included the Georgian Monastery in Sinai, the monastery complex (Iveron) on Mount Athos (the well-known "Wonderworking Iberian Icon of the Mother of God" is located in this Monastery), Georgian churches in the historic province Tao-Klarjeti (part of Turkey since the 16th century), the Georgian Petritsoni Monastery in Bulgaria, Bagrati Cathedral, Gelati Monastery and Academy, Ikalto Monastery complex and Academy, Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, the monastery in Martvili, and the monastic complex at Davidgareja. Sinai Peninsula, Gulf of Suez (west), Gulf of Aqaba (east) from Space Shuttle STS-40 The Sinai Peninsula (in Arabic, Shibh Jazirat Sina) is a triangle-shaped peninsula lying between the Mediterranean Sea (to the north) and Red Sea (to the south). ... One of the 20 monasteries on Mount Athos Mount Athos is a mountain and a peninsula in Macedonia, northern Greece, called Άγιο Όρος (Ayio Oros or Holy Mountain) in Modern Greek, or Ἅγιον Ὄρος (Hagion Oros) in Classical Greek. ... Tao-Klarjeti was a Georgian Kingdom (now territory of Turkey). ... The Republic of Turkey is a country located in Southwest Asia with a small part of its territory (3%) in southeastern Europe. ... Bachkovo Monastery in Bulgaria is one of the largest and oldest Orthodox Christian monasteries in Eastern Europe. ... The Republic of Bulgaria is a republic in the southeast of Europe. ... Gelati Monastery The Monastery of the Virgin - Gelati near Kutaisi (Imereti region of Western Georgia) was founded by the King of Georgia David the Builder (1089-1125) in 1106. ... Ikalto is a monastery complex near Telavi, in the Kakheti region of Eastern Georgia. ... Martvili is a village in Samegrelo province of Western Georgia. ... Davidgareja Monastery Complex is located in the Kakheti region of Eastern Georgia, on the half-desert slopes of mount Gareja. ...

Outstanding Georgian representatives of the Christian culture included Evagrius Ponticus (Evagre Pontoeli. 4th century), Peter the Iberian (Petre Iberieli. 5th century), Euthimius the Athonite (Ekvtime Atoneli. 955-1028), Giorgi the Athonite (Giorgi Atoneli. 1009-1065), Arsen Ikaltoeli (11th century), and Epraim the Lesser (Eprem Mtsire. 11th century). Peter the Iberian (Petre Iberi, secular name: Murvan 411 - 491) was Bishop of Majum (452 - 491). ...

The invasions of Genghis Khan in the 13th century and Tamerlane in the 15th century greatly disrupted Georgian Christianity. Between the 15th and 18th centuries both church and state were divided into eastern and western parts, and accordingly the two parts of the Church were ruled by two Catholicos-Patriarchs. In 1801 the Kingdom of Kartl-Kakheti (Eastern Georgia) was occupied and annexed by the Tsarist Russian Empire. In 1811, the autocephalous status of the Georgian Church was abolished by the Russian authorities, despite strong opposition in Georgia, and the Georgian Church was subjected to the synodical rule of the Russian Orthodox Church. The Georgian liturgy was suppressed and replaced with Russian. For the German pop band, see Dschinghis Khan Genghis Khan (Mongolian: Чингис Хаан, Jenghis Khan, Jinghis Khan, Chinghiz Khan, Jinghiz Khan, Chinggis Khan, Chingis Khan, etc. ... (12th century - 13th century - 14th century - other centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 13th century was that century which lasted from 1201 to 1300. ... For the chess engine Tamerlane, see Tamerlane. ... (14th century - 15th century - 16th century - other centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 15th century was that century which lasted from 1401 to 1500. ... (17th century - 18th century - 19th century - more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 18th century refers to the century that lasted from 1701 through 1800. ... Events January 1 - Legislative union of Ireland completed under the Act of Union 1800, bringing about the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. ... The Kingdom of Kartl-Kakheti was created in 1762 by unification of two Eastern Georgian kingdoms, which existed independently since the disintegration of Georgian Kingdom in the 15th century. ... Imperial Russia is the term used to cover the period of Russian history from the expansion of Russia under Peter the Great, through the expansion of the Russian Empire from the Baltic to the Pacific Ocean, to the deposal of Nicholas II of Russia, the last tsar, at the start... 1811 was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ... Russian (русский язык  listen?) is the most widely spoken of the Slavic languages. ...

The Georgian Orthodox Church in modern times

Following the overthrow of the Tsar Nicholas II in March 1917, Georgia's bishops unilaterally restored the autocephaly of the Georgian Orthodox Church. These changes were not accepted by the Russian Orthodox Church or by the invading Soviets in 1921, who subjected the Georgian Orthodox Church to intense harassment. Hundreds of churches were closed by the government and hundreds of monks were killed during Stalin's purges. The independence of the Georgian Orthodox Church was finally recognised by the Russian Orthodox Church in 1943, but it was still subjected to constant pressure and attrition in the post-war anti-religious campaigns of the Soviet authorities. Nicholas II can refer to: Pope Nicholas II Tsar Nicholas II of Russia This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ... 1917 was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ... 1921 was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ... Iosif (usually anglicized as Joseph) Vissarionovich Stalin (Russian: Иосиф Виссарионович Сталин), original name Ioseb Jughashvili (Georgian: იოსებ ჯუღაშვილი; see Other names section) (December 21, 1879[1] – March 5, 1953) was a Bolshevik revolutionary and leader of the Soviet Union. ... 1943 is a common year starting on Friday. ...

In 1989 the Patriarch of Constantinople recognized and approved the Autocephaly of the Georgian Orthodox Church - which had in practice been exercised since the 5th century - as well as the Patriarchal honor of the Catholicos. Georgia's subsequent independence in 1991 saw a major revival in the fortunes of the Georgian Orthodox Church. 1989 is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Patriarch of Constantinople is the Ecumenical Patriarch, the first among equals in the Eastern Orthodox Communion. ... ( 4th century - 5th century - 6th century - other centuries) Events Rome sacked by Visigoths in 410. ... 1991 is a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

About 82% of Georgia's population identified themselves as Georgian Orthodox in 2002 (The remainder being Muslim, Russian Orthodox, Armenian Apostolic and Other). In 2002 it was reported that there were 35 dioceses and 512 churches within the Georgian Orthodox Church, served by 730 priests. Georgian Orthodox Church has 5 million members around the world ( about 3.670.000 livs within Georgia).

Catholicos-Patriarchs of Georgia, 1917 to present

The Georgian Orthodox Church is managed by the Holy Synod. The Holy Synod is headed by the Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, the first of whom was Melkisedek I (1010-1033). Since 1977 his Holiness and Beatitude Ilia II (born in 1932) has served as the Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia and Archibishop of Mtskheta and Tbilisi. In several of the autocephalous Eastern Orthodox churches, the patriarch or head bishop is elected by a group of bishops called the Holy Synod. ... His Holiness and Beatitude Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia is the head of the Georgian Orthodox and Apostolic Church. ... Events The Ly Dynasty in Vietnam is established (or 1009). ... Events Benedict IX becomes pope. ... For the album by Ash, see 1977 (album). ... His Holiness and Beatitude Ilia II (secular name: Irakli Gudushauri-Shiolashvili) (born January 4, 1932) is a famous ecclesiastic figure of Georgia, the Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, Archbishop of Mtskheta and Tbilisi. ... 1932 is a leap year starting on a Friday. ... Mtskheta is one of oldest cities of the republic of Georgia (in Kartli province of Eastern Georgia), near Tbilisi. ... View of Tiflis from the Grounds of Saint David Church, ca. ...

• Kirion II — (1917-1918)
• Leonide — (1918-1921)
• Ambrosi — (1921-1927)
• Christefore III — (1927-1932)
• Kalistrate — (1932-1952)
• Melkisedek III — (1952-1960)
• Eprem II — (1960-1972)
• David V — (1972-1977)
• Ilia II — (1977 to present)

1917 was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ... 1918 was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ... 1918 was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ... 1921 was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ... Ambrosi, originally Bessarion Z. Khelaia (September 7, 1861-March 29, Georgian ecclesiastic figure, scientist, and public benefactor, Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia in 1921-1927. ... 1921 was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ... Events January 7 - First transatlantic telephone call - New York City to London January 9 - Military rebellion crushed in Lisbon January 14 - Paul Doumer elected president of France January 19 - Britain sends troops to China February 12 - First British troops lad on Shanghai February 14 - Earthquake in Yugoslavia - 700 dead February... Events January 7 - First transatlantic telephone call - New York City to London January 9 - Military rebellion crushed in Lisbon January 14 - Paul Doumer elected president of France January 19 - Britain sends troops to China February 12 - First British troops lad on Shanghai February 14 - Earthquake in Yugoslavia - 700 dead February... 1932 is a leap year starting on a Friday. ... 1932 is a leap year starting on a Friday. ... 1952 - Wikipedia /**/ @import /skins/monobook/IE50Fixes. ... 1952 - Wikipedia /**/ @import /skins/monobook/IE50Fixes. ... 1960 was a leap year starting on Friday (link will take you to calendar). ... 1960 was a leap year starting on Friday (link will take you to calendar). ... 1972 was a leap year that started on a Saturday. ... 1972 was a leap year that started on a Saturday. ... For the album by Ash, see 1977 (album). ... His Holiness and Beatitude Ilia II (secular name: Irakli Gudushauri-Shiolashvili) (born January 4, 1932) is a famous ecclesiastic figure of Georgia, the Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, Archbishop of Mtskheta and Tbilisi. ... For the album by Ash, see 1977 (album). ...

See also

• Eastern Orthodox Church
• Eastern Orthodoxy
• History of Georgia
• Culture of Georgia

The Eastern Orthodox Church is a Christian body whose adherents are largely based in Eastern Europe and the Middle East, with a growing presence in the western world. ... ... This article is about the history of the country Georgia. ... The culture of Georgia has evolved over the countrys long history, providing it with a unique national culture and a strong literary tradition based on the Georgian language and alphabet. ...

Links and Resources

• Official Web Site of the Patriarchate of the Georgian Orthodox Church (http://www.patriarchate.ge/indexe.htm)
• Georgian Orthodox Church - Encyclopedia Britanica (http://www.britanica.com/eb/article?eu=37230)
• The Orthodox News Service (http://www.orthodoxnews.netfirms.com)
• Announcement of the Patriarchate of the Georgian Orthodox Church (http://www.patriarchate.ge/ne/sapatriarqosgantsxadebae.htm)
• Orthodox Church in America (OCA) (http://oca.org)
• "Orthodox Church: Autocephalous Churches - Orthodox Church of Georgia", Catholic Near East Welfare Association--A Roman Catholic site (http://www.cnewa.org/ecc-orthodox-georgia.htm)
• Metropolitan Anania (Japaridze). "Christianity in Georgia".- in "It is Georgia" (collection of articles), Tbilisi, 2003, pp. 115-126 (in Georgian)