Georgian Orthodox Church

Apostolic Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Georgia
Coat of arms of the Orthodox Church of Georgia
ClassificationEastern Orthodox
ScriptureSeptuagint, New Testament
TheologyEastern Orthodox theology, Palamism
PolityEpiscopal polity
PrimateIlia II of Georgia
LanguageGeorgian
HeadquartersTbilisi, Georgia
TerritoryGeorgia
PossessionsWestern Europe, Russia, Turkey,[1] Azerbaijan, Australia, Armenia
FounderSaint Andrew (Colchis);
Saint Nino, Mirian III (Iberia)
IndependenceFrom Antioch dates vary between 467-491 and 1010,[2][a]
From Russia in 1917, 1943
RecognitionAutocephaly gradually conferred by the Church of Antioch and recognized by most of the Church, dates vary between 467-491 and 1010. Autocephaly quashed by the Russian Orthodox Church in 1811 on orders of the Tsar, partially restored in 1917, fully restored in 1943. Recognized by the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople in 1990.
SeparationsAbkhazian Orthodox Church (2009)[b]
Members3.5 million (2011)[3]
Official websitewww.patriarchate.ge
  1. ^ See below, Autocephaly for details on the process
  2. ^ but is considered as part of Georgian Orthodox Church by every Orthodox patriarchate including Russian.
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Eastern Orthodox Church
Christ Pantocrator (Deesis mosaic detail)
Mosaic of Christ Pantocrator, Hagia Sophia
Overview
Background
Organization
Autocephalous jurisdictions
Autocephalous Churches who are officially part of the communion:

Autocephaly recognized by some autocephalous Churches de jure:

Autocephaly and canonicity recognized by Constantinople and 3 other autocephalous Churches:

Spiritual independence recognized by Georgian Orthodox Church:


Autonomous jurisdictions

Semi-Autonomous:

Episcopal assemblies
Noncanonical jurisdictions
Ecumenical councils
  • Other possible ecumenical councils:
  • Other important councils:
History
Theology
Liturgy and worship
Liturgical calendar
  • The four fasting periods:
Major figures
Other topics
Flag of the Georgian Orthodox Church used since Medieval times

The Apostolic Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Georgia (Georgian: საქართველოს სამოციქულო ავტოკეფალური მართლმადიდებელი ეკლესია, romanized: sakartvelos samotsikulo avt'ok'epaluri martlmadidebeli ek'lesia), commonly known as the Georgian Orthodox Church or the Orthodox Church of Georgia, is an autocephalous Eastern Orthodox church in full communion with the other churches of Eastern Orthodoxy. It is Georgia's dominant religious institution, and a majority of Georgian people are members. The Orthodox Church of Georgia is one of the oldest churches in the world. It asserts apostolic foundation, and that its historical roots can be traced to the early and late Christianization of Iberia and Colchis by Andrew the Apostle in the 1st century AD and by Saint Nino in the 4th century AD, respectively. As in similar autocephalous Eastern Orthodox Christian churches, the church's highest governing body is the holy synod of bishops. The church is headed by the Patriarch of All Georgia, Ilia II, who was elected in 1977.

Eastern Orthodox Christianity was the state religion throughout most of Georgia's history until 1921, when the country, having declared independence from Russia in 1918, was conquered by the Red Army during the Soviet invasion of Georgia, becoming part of the Soviet Union.[4] The current Constitution of Georgia recognizes the special role of the Georgian Orthodox Church in the country's history, but also stipulates the independence of the church from the state. Government relations are further defined and regulated by the Concordat of 2002.

The Georgian Orthodox Church is the most trusted institution in Georgia. According to a 2013 survey, 95% respondents had a favorable opinion of its work.[5] It is highly influential in the public sphere and is considered Georgia's most influential institution.[6][7]

  1. ^ "Turkey remains on religious freedom "Watch List"". Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. 29 April 2010. Archived from the original on 9 November 2014. Retrieved 9 November 2014.
  2. ^ Meyendorff, John (1996). The Orthodox Church: Its Past and Its Role in the World Today. St Vladimir's Seminary Press. p. 159. ISBN 978-0-913836-81-1.
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference Grdzelidze2011a was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ "A Retrospective on the 1921 Constitution of the Democratic Republic of Georgia". Archived from the original on 3 July 2017. Retrieved 5 March 2015.
  5. ^ "Georgia's mighty Orthodox Church". BBC News. 2 July 2013.
  6. ^ Funke, Carolin (14 August 2014). "The Georgian Orthodox Church and its Involvement in National Politics". Central Asia-Caucasus Institute Analyst. After the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the Georgian Orthodox Church (GOC) emerged as Georgia's most respected and influential institution.
  7. ^ Rimple, Paul (21 November 2014). "Russia: Sochi Bets on Becoming the Black Sea Monte Carlo". EurasiaNet. The Georgian Orthodox Church, the country's most influential institution...