Located in the south Caucasus, Georgia is majority Eastern Orthodox. On the bridge between Eastern Europe and Western Asia, only 1% of this former Soviet Republic’s population are Catholics.

By ACN Staff

An ancient sixth-century Georgian Orthodox monastery in Jvari. (Credit: Ismael Martínez Sánchez / ACN)

We are fast coming up on the 30th anniversary of the dissolution of the Soviet Union. In these 30 years, Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) has been determined to provide support to Church in the former Soviet Republics, such as Russia and Ukraine. This work is a long-term commitment, as the decades of communist rule have left deep scars in these countries.

Marco Mencaglia, on the right, speaking with Father Benny Beth Yadegar, a Chaldean Catholic priest in Georgia. (Credit: Ismael Martínez Sánchez / ACN)

One former Soviet Republic that ACN has begun to focus more attention on is Georgia. Georgia is a very unique country. Predominately Eastern Orthodox and located in the south Caucasus, Georgia is a bridge between Europe and the Middle East. Georgian is a unique language with very little in common with the other major languages of the region, and even has its own distinct alphabet.

Recently, ACN’s head of section for Georgia, Marco Mencaglia, returned from a visit to the country to better assess the Church’s needs there. Marco was interviewed by Kira von Bock-Iwaniuk upon his return from Georgia. Marco also visited Armenia on the same trip.

Marco explained that his trip was somewhat impacted by COVID-19 restrictions but he was still able to get a sense of the situation in the country. He explained that the Georgians are very welcoming of visitors and travelers. This partly because of Georgia’s history and location between east and west. Marco also observed that faith plays a very important part of life in Georgia and has survived despite decades of communist rule.

Marco discussed some of the political tensions in the country, particularly Georgia’s relationship with Russia:

“Georgia is a country with four million inhabitants, and it shares a long border with Russia. After the war in 2008, it officially broke off all diplomatic relations with Russia. It exists in a state of perpetual tension, on the one side under severe economic and political pressure from its powerful neighbour, and, on the other side, with an interest in more extensive European integration.
The current government, which was first elected in 2012, is being sharply criticised by the opposition for its more conciliatory stance towards Moscow.
While we were visiting Tbilisi, tensions and protests broke out following the arrest of ex-president Saakashvili; thankfully, however, these remained peaceful. The ex-president is pro-Western and was arrested for crimes committed during his time in office and incarcerated upon returning to the country. The demonstrations, which have been peaceful up until now, call for the release of the ex-president and new elections.”

Catholics in Georgia are mostly divided between the Latin and Armenian Rites. The Armenian Catholics are ethnic Armenians and live close to the border with Armenia, while most ethnic Georgian Catholics belong to the Latin Rite. There is also a community of Chaldean Catholics in the country. Marco discussed the difficulties faced by Catholic in Georgia. Catholics only account for around 1%of the Georgian population and face some difficulties:

Father Beqa Chilingarashvili distributing Holy Communion after his ordination. (Credit: Ismael Martínez Sánchez / ACN)

“The Catholic Church in Georgia exists under extremely difficult conditions. The majority of the population (about 85%) belongs to the Orthodox Church. For many Orthodox, religious identity overlaps with national identity. It is widely believed that a good Georgian has to be Orthodox, a circumstance that de facto makes it difficult for Catholics to live their faith. Unlike many other Orthodox Churches, the Georgian Orthodox Church does not recognise Catholic baptisms and marriages. Therefore, many mixed faith couples are forced to choose a denomination and the Catholic spouses are often put under extreme pressure by their new families to convert.
A number of Catholic churches which were being used by the Orthodox Church during Soviet times were never given back and no attempts at dialogue have ever been made in this matter.”

The Catholic Church in Georgia has decided to be nonconfrontational with the Georgian Orthodox Church and instead try to improve familiarity with Catholicism in Georgia through dialogue and mutual understanding. Macro explained that he met Catholics in Georgia who did admit to a sense of isolation at times. These Catholics however did not allow this to stop them, and Marco saw a deep commitment in the Catholics, both Georgians and non-Georgians. While in the country, Marco was present for the ordination of a priest, Father Beqa, the sixth Georgian priest to be ordained since the collapse of the USSR. There was a great sense of hope and joy in the local community at the ordination of Father Beqa.

Local parishioners arriving at the ordination of Father Beqa Chilingarashvili at the Church and convent of St. Benedict in Rabati, Akhaltsikhe, Georgia/ (Credit: Ismael Martínez Sánchez / ACN)

Marco also explained that the Catholic Church is very active in education, health care and providing for the poor in Georgia. Marco found the missionary spirit of both the Latin and Armenian Catholics in the country inspirational. Marco gave details of particularly inspirational people he met in Georgia:

“The first is Msgr. Pasotto, who began as a missionary and has now served as bishop of the Tbilisi-based Latin Catholic Church of the Caucasus for more than 20 years. I would further like to mention a small community of contemplative Benedictine sisters who offered us accommodations in the convent in Rabati in southern Georgia. These religious sisters came from Italy without any previous knowledge of the Georgian culture or language. For years now, they have been serving a mission that leads them to face constant challenges and rewards them with small everyday joys.”

His visit to Georgia reinforced Marco’s understanding of the importance of ACN’s support to the Church there. ACN will be continuing to support the Church in Georgia. If you would like to help us give aid to the Church in Georgia, please consider making a donation.

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