The Georgian Church solemnly celebrated the 1,700th anniversary of the adoption of Christianity, with representatives of the Local Churches in attendance

Georgia held large-scale celebrations marking the 1,700th anniversary of the proclamation of Christianity as the country’s state religion—an event that laid the foundation for the national, cultural, and spiritual identity of the Georgian people. According to the Orthodoxia News Agency, the celebrations culminated in a Divine Liturgy on October 14, 2026, at the historic Svetitskhoveli Cathedral in Mtskheta.

The service was presided over by Catholicos-Patriarch Shio III of All Georgia, concelebrated by Archbishop Rostislav of Prešov, Metropolitan of the Czech Lands and Slovakia. Hierarchs of the Georgian Orthodox Church, as well as delegations from other Local Churches, took part in the solemn event, underscoring the pan-Orthodox nature of the jubilee.

In his sermon, Patriarch Shio III emphasized that the adoption of Christianity in the 4th century under Saint Nina, Equal to the Apostles, helped the Georgian people preserve their identity amid severe historical trials. He paid special attention to the Svetitskhoveli Cathedral and the Lord’s Tunic, which, according to tradition, is kept there and serves as a symbol of the Church’s unity. The Patriarch also warmly remembered his predecessor, the late Patriarch Ilia II, noting his invaluable contribution to the country’s spiritual revival.

During the celebration, a message from Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople was read aloud. The head of the Phanar noted that the joy of the Georgian people on this day is shared by the entire Orthodox world. He called on the faithful not only to honor their historical heritage but also to embody the Gospel principles of love and mercy in their daily lives by showing care for their neighbors.

As a sign of fraternal solidarity, Archbishop Rostislav, Primate of the Church of the Czech Lands and Slovakia, presented the Georgian Church with an icon containing a relic of St. Ludmila of Bohemia. This gesture symbolized the spiritual bond between the two peoples, united by a shared apostolic faith and a commitment to following Christian ideals in the modern world.