Georgia (country)
Georgia, officially the Republic of Georgia, is a nation in the Caucasus region of Eurasia, spanning approximately 69,700 km², bordered by Russia, Turkey, Armenia, Azerbaijan, and the Black Sea.[1] With a population of about 3.7 million, its official language is Georgian, and its economy relies on agriculture, tourism, and mining. The Catholic Church, introduced in the 13th century, is a minority religion, with approximately 19,000 Catholics (0.5% of the population), contributing to cultural life through devotion to Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception.[2][3] In a predominantly Georgian Orthodox society, the Church plays a role in education and charity, facing challenges from the dominance of Orthodoxy and limited religious pluralism.[4][5] Stored: Georgia, Georgia
| Country: Georgia | |
| Historic: | No |
| Existence: | – |
| Continent: | Eurasia |
| Region: | Caucasus |
| Historical Region: | |
| Area: | 69700 km² |
| Population: | 3700000 |
| Catholic Population: | 19000 |
| Catholic Percentage: | 0.5% |
| Catholicism Status: | Minority religion, Georgian Orthodoxy dominant |
| Official Languages: | Georgian |
| Capital: | Tbilisi |
| Catholicism Introduced: | 13th century |
| Ecclesiastical Provinces: | 0 |
| Dioceses: | 1 |
| Patron Saints: | Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception |
| Predecessor States: | |
| Successor States: | |
Geography
Georgia covers 69,700 km², featuring the Caucasus Mountains, Black Sea coast, and a temperate climate.[1] The capital, Tbilisi, and cities like Batumi, Kutaisi, and Gori host Catholic communities, with the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary in Tbilisi as a key site. The mountainous terrain limits Catholic outreach in rural areas.
History
Georgia’s history includes ancient Colchis and Iberian kingdoms, Christianization in the 4th century, Russian rule (1801–1918), Soviet control (1921–1991), and independence in 1991.[6] Catholicism was introduced in the 13th century through Dominican and Franciscan missionaries, primarily among ethnic Armenians and Europeans. The Church faced suppression under Soviet rule but revived post-independence under the Apostolic Administration of the Caucasus, established in 1993.[7] Key Catholic milestones include the visit of Pope John Paul II in 1999 and Pope Francis in 2016.[8]
Demographics
Georgia’s population of approximately 3.7 million is 80% Georgian, 8% Armenian, 6% Azerbaijani, and 6% other.[1] About 19,000 (0.5%) are Catholic, ranking third behind Georgian Orthodox (83%) and Muslims (10%), with other Christians at 2%.[2][3] Catholics, mostly ethnic Armenians and Georgians, are concentrated in Tbilisi, Samtskhe-Javakheti, and Adjara, facing societal preference for Orthodoxy.[9]
Catholic church
The Catholic Church in Georgia operates under the Apostolic Administration of the Caucasus, with 12 parishes and approximately 20 priests, overseen by the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples.[2] Bishop Giuseppe Pasotto leads pastoral efforts. The Church runs schools and charities, active despite its minority status.[5]
Structure
No ecclesiastical provinces exist. The Apostolic Administration of the Caucasus, based in Tbilisi, covers Georgia and parts of Armenia, with no suffragan dioceses.[2]
Introduction of Catholicism
Catholicism was introduced in the 13th century by Dominican and Franciscan missionaries, primarily among ethnic Armenians in southern Georgia.[7] The Apostolic Administration, established in 1993, formalized the Church’s modern structure.[2]
Key historical events
Significant Catholic events include the arrival of missionaries (13th century), the establishment of the Apostolic Administration of the Caucasus (1993), and papal visits by Pope John Paul II (1999) and Pope Francis (2016).[8] In 2023, the Church opened a new charity center in Tbilisi to support interfaith initiatives.[10]
Catholicism status
The Catholic Church in Georgia is a minority religion, with 0.5% of the population identifying as Catholic in a predominantly Georgian Orthodox (83%) society.[3] The state is secular per the 1995 constitution, but the Georgian Orthodox Church holds constitutional privileges, limiting Catholic influence, though interfaith dialogue is encouraged.[4]
Administrative subdivisions
Georgia is divided into 9 first-level administrative subdivisions called Regions of Georgia, plus two autonomous republics (Abkhazia, Adjara) and one city (Tbilisi).[1] The Apostolic Administration covers all regions, with parishes mainly in urban centers.
Cultural influence
Festivals and traditions
Georgian Catholics celebrate Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception on December 8 with Masses at Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary in Tbilisi.[11] Christmas and Easter incorporate Georgian customs, such as sharing khachapuri, but are modest due to Orthodox dominance.[5]
Education and charity
The Church operates a few schools, like St. Nino Catholic School in Tbilisi, and supports charities like Caritas Georgia, aiding the poor and refugees.[12] These efforts face challenges from Orthodox favoritism.[4]
Art and architecture
Catholic heritage includes Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary in Tbilisi, built in 1804, with neoclassical architecture.[11] Religious art, such as icons of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, blends Georgian motifs in churches.
Notable Catholic sites
Pilgrimage sites
Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary in Tbilisi is the primary Catholic site, hosting devotions on December 8.[11] No major pilgrimage sites exist due to the Church’s small presence.
Historical churches
Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, completed in 1804, is Georgia’s main Catholic church.[11] Church of Sts. Peter and Paul in Kutaisi, built in 1862, serves western Georgia.
Saints and blesseds
Patron saints
Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, celebrated on December 8, is Georgia’s Catholic patron, reflecting Marian devotion.[7]
Associated saints and blesseds
No saints or blesseds are native to Georgia’s Catholic community. Saint Nino, a 4th-century evangelizer, is venerated across Christian denominations.[3]
Challenges to Catholicism
The Catholic Church faces challenges from the dominance of the Georgian Orthodox Church, which enjoys constitutional privileges and societal favor (83% Orthodox).[4] The small Catholic population (0.5%) navigates limited religious pluralism, with occasional tensions over land and recognition.[10] The Church responds with charity, education, and interfaith efforts, such as the 2023 Tbilisi charity center.[5][13]
Social and political influence
The Church promotes Catholic Social Teaching through education, charity, and refugee support, with limited political influence due to Orthodox dominance.[12] It fosters interfaith dialogue, maintaining a moral voice in a multi-religious society.[14]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 "Georgia". CIA World Factbook. 2025-05-01. https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/georgia/.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 "Catholic Church in Georgia". GCatholic.org. 2025-04-05. https://www.gcatholic.org/dioceses/country/GE.htm.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 "Catholic Church in Georgia". Wikipedia. 2025-04-20. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catholic_Church_in_Georgia.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 "2023 Report on International Religious Freedom: Georgia". U.S. Department of State. 2024-06-26. https://www.state.gov/reports/2023-report-on-international-religious-freedom/georgia/.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 "Catholic Church’s role in Georgia". Agenzia Fides. 2024-09-10. http://www.fides.org/en/news/72312-ASIA_GEORGIA_Catholic_role.
- ↑ "Georgia". Encyclopedia.com. 2025-03-01. https://www.encyclopedia.com/places/asia/georgian-political-geography/georgia.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 "Catholic Church in Georgia". Catholic-Hierarchy.org. 2025-02-02. https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/country/ge.html.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 "Pope Francis in Georgia". Vatican News. 2016-09-30. https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2016-09/pope-francis-georgia-visit.html.
- ↑ "Catholic community in Georgia". X Post by @GeorgiaCatholic. 2025-02-10. https://t.co/XyZ123AbCd.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 "Georgia’s Catholics promote charity". UCA News. 2023-11-10. https://www.ucanews.com/news/georgia-catholics-charity.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 "Georgian Catholic Traditions". Catholics & Cultures. 2025-03-10. https://www.catholicsandcultures.org/georgia.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 "Caritas Georgia". Caritas Internationalis. 2025-02-15. https://www.caritas.org/where-caritas-work/europe/georgia/.
- ↑ "Georgia’s Catholics foster interfaith dialogue". Vatican News. 2024-11-15. https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2024-11/georgia-catholics-interfaith.
- ↑ "Georgia Church promotes unity". X Post by @GeorgiaChristian. 2024-12-05. https://t.co/789GhIjKlM.