Georgia hosts symposium marking 1,700 years of Christianity

An international symposium titled ‘God, Motherland, Man’ has opened in Tbilisi to commemorate the 1,700th anniversary of Christianity being declared the state religion of Georgia. The event aims to explore the country’s Christian heritage and its historical, cultural, and spiritual significance within global civilization.

President Mikhail Kavelashvili attended the opening ceremony, which also included Catholicos-Patriarch Shio III, the Prime Minister, and other high-ranking officials. In his address, Kavelashvili emphasized that the spiritual choice made 1,700 years ago shaped the nation’s cultural identity and statehood. He noted that throughout history, the Mother Church served as a pillar for the nation, preserving its language, land, and national consciousness during periods of struggle.

Kavelashvili highlighted seven eternal values that he believes underpin Georgian statehood and society: God, Motherland, Man, Homeland, Language, Faith, and Family. He suggested these values serve as an existential shield against the challenges of globalization and artificial intelligence, ensuring a morally resilient and progressive future for the Georgian youth.