Georgian PM Vows to Protect Christian Heritage, Citing Church’s Role in National Unity

Georgia will continue working closely with the Georgian Orthodox Church to preserve the Christian heritage underpinning the country’s national identity, unity and development, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze said at an international symposium titled “God, Homeland, Human Being.”

Addressing the gathering, Kobakhidze highlighted Georgia’s centuries-old Christian traditions, describing Christianity as a defining force in the country’s history and national identity.

“Georgia is among the few countries where the Gospel was introduced in the first century through the preaching of Christ’s apostles. The historic decision to adopt Christianity as the state religion 1,700 years ago shaped the course of our nation’s development and its distinct identity,” the prime minister said.

Kobakhidze emphasized that the Georgian Orthodox Church had served as the country’s spiritual foundation for centuries, helping preserve its cultural identity and national cohesion.

“For centuries, the efforts of our greatest secular and religious figures were directed towards strengthening this foundation. The contribution of our great Patriarch, Ilia II, was particularly significant in ensuring that the building of a modern, independent Georgian state, and the spiritual unity of our nation throughout that process, were grounded in the highest Christian values,” he said.

The prime minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to protecting the country’s religious and cultural traditions.

“The state holds these eternal values in the highest regard. Through close cooperation with the Church, we will firmly protect the heritage upon which our national unity and development are founded,” Kobakhidze declared.

He also paid tribute to the legacy of Ilia II, the longtime spiritual leader of the Georgian Orthodox Church, saying that the principles of faith, patriotism and respect for humanity remained central to the country’s national identity.

“‘God, Homeland, Human Being’ represents the values that Patriarch Ilia II entrusted us with preserving. It is particularly welcome that this international symposium is dedicated to exploring the relationship between these principles and their significance in contemporary life,” he said.

Kobakhidze thanked the symposium’s organizers, academics, clergy and international participants, expressing hope that their discussions would contribute to strengthening universal human values.

“I believe today’s dialogue and future cooperation will make a valuable contribution to reinforcing universal human values. I congratulate you on the 1,700th anniversary of Christianity’s adoption as the state religion and wish the international symposium productive discussions,” the prime minister concluded.

Georgia adopted Christianity as its state religion in the fourth century, becoming one of the world’s earliest Christian nations. The Georgian Orthodox Church continues to occupy a prominent place in the country’s religious, cultural and national life.