Georgia

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Georgia is a South Caucasian nation, covering approximately 69,700 km² with a population of about 3.7 million as of 2025.[1] Its official language is Georgian, and its economy relies on agriculture, tourism, and energy. The Catholic Church, primarily Latin-rite with some Armenian-rite presence, with approximately 19,000 adherents (0.5% of the population), is a minority religion, ranking third after Orthodoxy (83%) and Islam (10%), introduced in the 13th century through missionary efforts.[2] Catholicism shapes Georgia’s minority Christian culture, particularly among ethnic Armenians and Latins in Tbilisi and Batumi, through charity, education, and devotion to Saint Nino.[3]

The Church, with no ecclesiastical provinces and 1 apostolic administration, operates in a predominantly Orthodox state with religious freedom, supported by the 2002 Constitutional Agreement with the Georgian Orthodox Church, though Catholics face some legal limitations. Catholic communities are concentrated in Tbilisi, Batumi, and Akhaltsikhe, with the Cathedral of the Assumption in Tbilisi as a key spiritual site.[4][5]

Stored: Georgia, Georgia

Country: Georgia
Historic: No
Existence: 1991–
Continent: Asia
Region: South Caucasus
Historical Region: Colchis, Kingdom of Georgia
Area: 69700 km²
Population: 3700000
Catholic Population: 19000
Catholic Percentage: 0.5%
Catholicism Status: Minority religion, Orthodox majority
Official Languages: Georgian
Capital: Tbilisi
Catholicism Introduced: 13th century
Ecclesiastical Provinces: 0
Dioceses: 1
Patron Saints: Saint Nino
Predecessor States: Soviet Georgia, Russian Empire
Successor States:


Geography

Georgia is located in the South Caucasus, bordered by Russia, Turkey, Armenia, Azerbaijan, and the Black Sea.[6] Its 69,700 km² includes the Caucasus Mountains, Black Sea coast, and Kura River, with a subtropical to continental climate. Major cities like Tbilisi (the capital), Batumi, and Akhaltsikhe host Catholic communities. The geography supports limited Catholic outreach, with pilgrimage routes to Tbilisi.[7]

History

Georgia’s history includes the ancient kingdoms of Colchis and Iberia, the unified Kingdom of Georgia (10th–15th centuries), Ottoman and Russian rule (16th–19th centuries), Soviet rule (1921–1991), and independence since 1991.[8] Catholicism was introduced in the 13th century through Dominican and Franciscan missionaries, gaining a foothold among ethnic Armenians and Latins.[9] The Church faced restrictions under Russian and Soviet rule but revived post-1991, though it remains secondary to the Georgian Orthodox Church.[10]

Predecessor states

Georgia’s territory was part of the Kingdom of Georgia, the Russian Empire, and Soviet Georgia.[11] Soviet Georgia preceded the modern state, with Catholicism suppressed under Soviet atheism.[12]

Successor states

The Republic of Georgia, established in 1991, has no direct successor states, as it remains a unified nation.[13] The Catholic Church operates within a framework favoring Orthodoxy, focusing on pastoral care and charity for minority communities.[14]

Demographics

Georgia’s 3.7 million people include 0.5% Catholics (19,000), 83% Orthodox, 10% Muslims, and 6% others.[15] Ethnic groups are Georgian (87%), Armenian (6%), and Azerbaijani (6%). Catholicism is concentrated in Tbilisi, Batumi, and Akhaltsikhe, among ethnic Armenians and Latins.[16]

Catholic church

The Catholic Church in Georgia comprises 1 apostolic administration, the Apostolic Administration of the Caucasus, led by Bishop Giuseppe Pasotto.[17] The Church runs limited schools and charities, constrained by its minority status and legal restrictions.[18]

Structure

The Church has no ecclesiastical provinces, with the Apostolic Administration of the Caucasus directly subject to the Holy See.[19]

Introduction of Catholicism

Catholicism was introduced in the 13th century through Dominican and Franciscan missionaries, establishing communities in urban centers.[20] It grew among ethnic Armenians and Latins but was overshadowed by Orthodoxy and later restricted under Russian rule.[21]

Key historical events

The 1240 establishment of Catholic missions marked the Church’s arrival.[22] Soviet rule (1921–1991) suppressed Catholicism, closing churches.[23] The 1993 creation of the Apostolic Administration revitalized the Church post-independence.[24]

Catholicism status

Catholicism, with 0.5% adherence, is a minority religion in a state favoring Orthodoxy under the 2002 Constitutional Agreement.[25] The Church enjoys limited legal recognition and faces challenges from Orthodox dominance and bureaucratic restrictions.[26]

Cultural influence

Festivals and traditions

Catholics celebrate Saint Nino (January 14) with Masses in Tbilisi.[27] Armenian and Latin communities shape traditions like Easter liturgies and Marian devotions.[28]

Education and charity

The Church operates small catechetical programs in Tbilisi.[29] Caritas Georgia supports the poor, orphans, and refugees, aligning with Catholic Social Teaching.[30]

Art and architecture

Catholic heritage is evident in the Cathedral of the Assumption, a 19th-century neo-Gothic structure in Tbilisi.[31] Churches feature Armenian and Latin iconography.[32]

Notable Catholic sites

Pilgrimage sites

Cathedral of the Assumption in Tbilisi is a minor pilgrimage site.[33] Church of Saint Peter and Paul in Batumi attracts devotees.[34]

Historical churches

Cathedral of the Assumption, built in 1805, is a neo-Gothic landmark.[35] Church of the Holy Mother of God in Akhaltsikhe, a 19th-century structure, serves Armenian Catholics.[36]

Saints and blesseds

Patron saints

Saint Nino (January 14), also venerated by the Orthodox, is Georgia’s Catholic patron.[37]

Associated saints and blesseds

Notable figures include Saint Nino (canonized 4th century, missionary to Georgia) and Blessed Ignazio Choukrallah Maloyan (beatified 2015, Armenian martyr with regional ties).[38][39]

Challenges to Catholicism

The Church faces challenges from Orthodox dominance, legal restrictions, and a small Catholic population.[40] It counters these through ecumenical dialogue, charity, and youth programs.[41]

Social and political influence

The Church influences charity and education, guided by Catholic Social Teaching.[42] It has minimal political influence due to Orthodox primacy but supports ethnic Armenian communities and interfaith harmony.[43]

References

  1. ↑ "Georgia". CIA World Factbook. 2024-12-01. https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/georgia/. 
  2. ↑ "Religion in Georgia". Wikipedia. 2024-06-15. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religion_in_Georgia_(country). 
  3. ↑ "Catholicism in Georgia". Catholics & Cultures. 2020-06-15. https://www.catholicsandcultures.org/georgia. 
  4. ↑ "Catholic Dioceses in Georgia". GCatholic.org. 2025-01-22. http://www.gcatholic.org/dioceses/country/GE.htm. 
  5. ↑ "Georgia’s Catholic Church". Vatican News. 2023-12-05. https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2023-12/georgia-catholic-church-community.html. 
  6. ↑ "Georgia". CIA World Factbook. 2024-12-01. https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/georgia/. 
  7. ↑ "Catholicism in Georgia". Catholics & Cultures. 2020-06-15. https://www.catholicsandcultures.org/georgia. 
  8. ↑ "Georgia". Britannica. 2024-10-15. https://www.britannica.com/place/Georgia. 
  9. ↑ "Catholic Encyclopedia: Georgia". New Advent. 1913-01-01. https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06462a.htm. 
  10. ↑ "Georgia’s Catholic History". Encyclopedia.com. 2003-01-01. https://www.encyclopedia.com/religion/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/georgia-catholic-church. 
  11. ↑ "History of Georgia". Britannica. 2024-10-15. https://www.britannica.com/place/Georgia/History. 
  12. ↑ "Georgia’s Catholic History". Encyclopedia.com. 2003-01-01. https://www.encyclopedia.com/religion/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/georgia-catholic-church. 
  13. ↑ "Georgia". Britannica. 2024-10-15. https://www.britannica.com/place/Georgia. 
  14. ↑ "Georgia’s Catholic Church". Vatican News. 2023-12-05. https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2023-12/georgia-catholic-church-community.html. 
  15. ↑ "Religion in Georgia". Pew Research Center. 2020-04-15. https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2020/04/15/religion-in-georgia/. 
  16. ↑ "Catholicism in Georgia". Catholics & Cultures. 2020-06-15. https://www.catholicsandcultures.org/georgia. 
  17. ↑ "Catholic Dioceses in Georgia". GCatholic.org. 2025-01-22. http://www.gcatholic.org/dioceses/country/GE.htm. 
  18. ↑ "Catholic Education in Georgia". Catholic News Agency. 2024-11-15. https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/25320/catholic-schools-georgia. 
  19. ↑ "Catholic Dioceses in Georgia". GCatholic.org. 2025-01-22. http://www.gcatholic.org/dioceses/country/GE.htm. 
  20. ↑ "Catholic Encyclopedia: Georgia". New Advent. 1913-01-01. https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06462a.htm. 
  21. ↑ "Georgia’s Catholic History". Encyclopedia.com. 2003-01-01. https://www.encyclopedia.com/religion/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/georgia-catholic-church. 
  22. ↑ "Apostolic Administration of the Caucasus". Catholic-Hierarchy.org. 2024-09-10. http://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/dcauc.html. 
  23. ↑ "Georgia’s Catholic History". Encyclopedia.com. 2003-01-01. https://www.encyclopedia.com/religion/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/georgia-catholic-church. 
  24. ↑ "Georgia’s Catholic Church". Vatican News. 2023-12-05. https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2023-12/georgia-catholic-church-community.html. 
  25. ↑ "Religion in Georgia". Pew Research Center. 2020-04-15. https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2020/04/15/religion-in-georgia/. 
  26. ↑ "Georgia’s Catholic Church". Vatican News. 2023-12-05. https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2023-12/georgia-catholic-church-community.html. 
  27. ↑ "Catholicism in Georgia". Catholics & Cultures. 2020-06-15. https://www.catholicsandcultures.org/georgia. 
  28. ↑ "Georgia’s Catholic Church". Vatican News. 2023-12-05. https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2023-12/georgia-catholic-church-community.html. 
  29. ↑ "Catholic Education in Georgia". Catholic News Agency. 2024-11-15. https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/25320/catholic-schools-georgia. 
  30. ↑ "Caritas Georgia". Caritas Internationalis. 2024-02-10. https://www.caritas.org/where-caritas-work/europe/georgia/. 
  31. ↑ "Cathedral of the Assumption". Britannica. 2024-10-15. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Cathedral-of-the-Assumption-Tbilisi. 
  32. ↑ "Georgia’s Catholic History". Encyclopedia.com. 2003-01-01. https://www.encyclopedia.com/religion/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/georgia-catholic-church. 
  33. ↑ "Cathedral of the Assumption". GCatholic.org. 2025-01-22. http://www.gcatholic.org/churches/europe/1280.htm. 
  34. ↑ "Georgia’s Catholic Church". Vatican News. 2023-12-05. https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2023-12/georgia-catholic-church-community.html. 
  35. ↑ "Cathedral of the Assumption". Britannica. 2024-10-15. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Cathedral-of-the-Assumption-Tbilisi. 
  36. ↑ "Church of the Holy Mother of God". Encyclopedia.com. 2003-01-01. https://www.encyclopedia.com/history/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/church-holy-mother-god-akhaltsikhe. 
  37. ↑ "Catholicism in Georgia". Catholics & Cultures. 2020-06-15. https://www.catholicsandcultures.org/georgia. 
  38. ↑ "Georgian Saints". Vatican. 2015-06-07. https://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/csaints/documents/rc_con_csaints_doc_2015_en.html. 
  39. ↑ "Georgia’s Catholic History". Encyclopedia.com. 2003-01-01. https://www.encyclopedia.com/religion/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/georgia-catholic-church. 
  40. ↑ "Georgia’s Catholic Church". Vatican News. 2023-12-05. https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2023-12/georgia-catholic-church-community.html. 
  41. ↑ "Catholic Youth in Georgia". Catholic News Agency. 2024-12-05. https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/25325/catholic-youth-georgia. 
  42. ↑ "Caritas Georgia". Caritas Internationalis. 2024-02-10. https://www.caritas.org/where-caritas-work/europe/georgia/. 
  43. ↑ "Catholicism in Georgia". Catholics & Cultures. 2020-06-15. https://www.catholicsandcultures.org/georgia. 

External links

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