The Georgian Orthodox Church on October 14 celebrated the 1,700th anniversary of Christianity becoming the state religion, with major commemorations held at Svetitskhoveli Cathedral in Mtskheta, the ancient capital of Georgia.

According to the Georgian Patriarchate, the celebrations brought together clergy, worshippers and delegations from Orthodox churches abroad. The liturgy and festive events were led by Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia Shio III.

In his address, Patriarch Shio III highlighted the historical role of Christianity in preserving the faith, culture and national identity of the Georgian people. He also paid tribute to his predecessor, Ilia II, who died in 2026.

Representatives of several local Orthodox churches attended the anniversary. Among the senior guests was Metropolitan Rastislav of the Czech Lands and Slovakia, Archbishop of Prešov, who congratulated the Georgian Church and presented Patriarch Shio III with an icon containing a relic of Saint Ludmila, venerated in the Czech Republic and Slovakia.

The Russian Orthodox Church was represented by Metropolitan Georgy of Nizhny Novgorod and Arzamas. The Serbian Orthodox Church sent Metropolitan Methodius of Budimlja and Nikšić and Bishop Stefan of Remesiana.

Other participants included Metropolitan Hesychios of Capitolias, representing the Jerusalem Patriarchate; Archbishop Nifon of Târgoviște of the Romanian Orthodox Church; Metropolitan Anthony of Western and Central Europe and Bishop Sioniy of Velich of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church; Metropolitan Nicholas of Apollonia and Fier of the Albanian Orthodox Church; and Metropolitan Vissarion of Spain and Portugal, representing the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople.

On October 13, Patriarch Shio III received the visiting delegations at the patriarchal residence. During the meeting, participants exchanged gifts and paid tribute to Georgia’s centuries-old spiritual heritage.According to historical tradition, Christianity became the state religion of the eastern Georgian kingdom of Kartli in the fourth century, during the reign of King Mirian III. Church tradition attributes a central role in the conversion of the royal family and the spread of Christianity to Saint Nino, who is revered as Equal-to-the-Apostles.

Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, the main venue for the anniversary celebrations, is one of Georgia’s most important religious and historical landmarks. According to Christian tradition, the cathedral houses the tunic of Jesus Christ. Its name, Svetitskhoveli, is associated with the tradition of a life-giving pillar.

The anniversary coincided with Svetitskhovloba, a religious feast dedicated to the cathedral and its associated sacred relics. The occasion holds both religious and cultural significance in Georgia, where Christianity has played a major role in shaping the country’s statehood, cultural heritage and national consciousness over the centuries.In a message marking the anniversary, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew congratulated the Georgian Orthodox Church and called for stronger unity among Orthodox Christians.

“The various gifts of each local Church enrich our unity in Christ,” he said.

The celebrations underscored the enduring significance of Christianity in Georgian history and the continuing ties between the Georgian Orthodox Church and other Orthodox communities around the world.