History
The roots of the Georgian people extend deep in history; their cultural heritage is equally ancient and rich. During the medieval period a powerful Georgian kingdom existed, reaching its height between the 10th and 13th centuries. After a long period of Turkish and Persian domination, Georgia was annexed by the Russian Empire in the 19th century. An independent Georgian state existed from 1918 to 1921, when it was incorporated into the Soviet Union. In 1936 Georgia became a constituent (union) republic and continued as such until the collapse of the Soviet Union. During the Soviet period the Georgian economy was modernized and diversified. One of the most independence-minded republics, Georgia declared sovereignty on 19th Nov. 1989, and independence on 9th April 1991.
The 1990s were a period of instability and civil unrest in Georgia, as the first post-independence government was overthrown and separatist movements emerged in South Ossetia and Abkhazia.
Religion
The most recent census in 2014 showed that most of the population in Georgia practiced Eastern Orthodox Christianity, primarily in the Georgian Orthodox Church, whose faithful make up 83.4% of the population. Around 2.9% of the population followed the Armenian Apostolic Church (Oriental Orthodoxy), almost all of which are ethnic Armenians. Adherents of Islam made up 10.7% of the population and are mainly found in the Adjara and Kvemo Kartliregions and as a sizeable minority in Tbilisi. Catholics of the Armenian and Latin churches made up around 0.8% of the population and were mainly found in the south of Georgia and a small number in Tbilisi. Protestants also made up less than 1%. There was also a sizeable Jewish community in Tbilisi served by two synagogues. A 2015 study estimates some 1,300 Christian believers from a Muslim background in the country, most of them belonging to some form of Protestantism.
Religious Freedom
The Georgian Constitution provides for freedom of religion, and the Government generally respects this right in practice. Citizens generally do not interfere with traditional religious groups; however, there have been reports of violence and discrimination against non-traditional religious groups.
In 2023, the country was scored 2 out of 4 for religious freedom. It was noted that religious minorities have reported discrimination and that members of the clergy have been surveyed by the SSS.
Bibles
The Bible was first translated into the Georgian language as early as the 5th century. The Vani Gospels (Vani Four Gospels; Georgian: ვანის ოთხთავი, Vanis otkhtavi) is an illuminated manuscript of the gospels in the Georgian Nuskhuri script dating from the end of the 12thearly 13th centuries. Recently a new translation was completed by the Institute for Bible Translation.
The Georgian Bible, in use until a few years ago, was an ancient translation. The two recent translations (1990s) are the standard Bibles today, but due to their popularity, there is a great need to print more. A children’s Bible is also available. The Bible Society projects are a welcome success in inter-confessional ministry; they also produce a Bible magazine and run a Bible shop. Their desire to distribute Scriptures in Abkhazia and South Ossetia has often been disrupted by the conflicts and instability there.
Prayers
Georgia has, for the most part, enjoyed positive social, economic, and political changes since the end of the USSR. Less corruption and more democratic reform point towards a more stable future. Openness to spirituality and Christianity in particular increased greatly in the early days of independence. The August War of 2008, when Russian troops briefly occupied much of the country, reversed much of the good economic progress. As a result, the Abkhazia and South Ossetia regions now function as de facto independent republics (supported by Russia), but these are unrecognized as countries by most of the world. Being Russia’s neighbour is not easy.
- Pray that Georgia’s development and progress might include not just economic and human development, but spiritual development also.
- Pray for access to the Word of God, and that through it many may find the Truth of the gospel.
- Pray also for renewal among Orthodox clergy; some small beginnings of this are occurring.
- Pray for a relationship of mutual respect and understanding between the Orthodox and other churches.
- Pray that Protestant and Independent churches and believers might conduct themselves in Christ-like ways, even amid hostility.
- Pray for Unity. The small but deeply divided evangelical community has taken significant steps toward unity and collaboration. Evangelical leaders across several denominations and ministries met in fellowship, committing to defend biblical values and to promote religious freedom within Georgia. Well-intentioned but ignorant foreign “help” for churches and increased influence of prosperity theology among many Pentecostals are causing further theological differences, even amid deliberate efforts to fellowship and work together. In all the efforts to unite however, one needs to keep the biblical principle in mind: “Better divided by Truth, than united in Error”.
- Pray against cultural irrelevance among youth. Young Georgians have lost interest in the Church, with a majority leaving during teenage years. Youth groups have grown in some cases where intentional efforts were made to reach out to young people in creative and relevant ways and where youth were empowered to lead. Pray for churches to thoughtfully share the gospel with young people in relevant ways.
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