Georgian Pilgrimage Marks 1,700 Years of Christianity

GORIJVARI, GEORGIA — As reported by UOJ-Georgia, Orthodox clergy and faithful in central Georgia have completed a five-day prayer pilgrimage commemorating the 1,700th anniversary of Christianity’s proclamation as the state religion of Georgia, marking one of the most significant milestones in the nation’s religious history.

The procession began June 15 at the Church of St. George the Great Martyr in Gorijvari, where Metr. Andria of Gori and Ateni celebrated a lesser blessing of water and offered prayers for the participants. He also blessed the pilgrims before they embarked on their journey toward Mount Tkhoti, a site closely associated with the Christianization of Georgia.

Over the course of the pilgrimage, clergy and representatives from the dioceses of Gori and Ateni and Samtavisi and Kaspi traveled through numerous communities, including Khidistavi, Khovle, Grakali, Teliani, Sasireti, Zemo and Kvemo Khandaki, Metekhi, Kaspi, Mikeltskaro, and Aghaiani. Along the route, participants took part in divine liturgies, prayer services, and village blessing ceremonies.

The event also drew local government officials, including Shida Kartli State Governor Simon Guledani, Gori Municipality Mayor Konstantine Buzaladze, and Kaspi Municipality Mayor Vakhtang Maisuradze. Organizers said the pilgrimage was intended both as a spiritual observance and as a way to commemorate Georgia’s centuries-old Christian heritage. Metr. Andria thanked participants for their witness of faith and wished them a blessed and fruitful spiritual journey.

Previously, the UOJ reported that a UOC priest concelebrated with Patr. Shio III during a pilgrimage to Georgia.