Christliche Pilgerziele in Georgia
Ein der ersten christlichen Nationen (4. Jahrhundert), mit UNESCO-Welterbe-Klöstern und einer lebendigen Orthodoxen Kirche.
Georgien bekehrte sich im 4. Jahrhundert durch die heilige Nino, eine Sklavin aus Kappadokien, zum Christentum. Seitdem ist die Georgisch-Orthodoxe Kirche das spirituelle Herz des georgischen Volkes und hat durch Invasion, Besatzung und Revolution hindurch überlebt. Mtskheta, die alte Hauptstadt, beherbergt zwei der heiligsten Kirchen Georgiens: die Swetizchoweli-Kathedrale, erbaut über dem überlieferten Ort des Gewandes Christi, und das Jvari-Kloster. Vardzia, das dramatische Höhlenkloster am Ufer des Mtkvari-Flusses, wurde unter Königin Tamar (12./13. Jahrhundert) geschaffen. Gelati bei Kutaisi ist ein mittelalterliches Kloster mit hervorragenden Mosaiken und dem Grab Davids des Erbauers.
Pilgerrouten durch Georgia
Praktische Informationen
Christliche Geschichte in Georgia
Georgia became the second Christian nation in history (after Armenia 301) in 326 or 337 AD, through the preaching of Saint Nino — a young Christian woman from Cappadocia who, according to Georgian tradition, came to Georgia as a slave girl with a vision from the Virgin Mary. She converted King Mirian III and Queen Nana, who declared Christianity the state religion of the Kingdom of Iberia.
Georgian Christianity is Chalcedonian — accepting all Seven Ecumenical Councils. The Georgian Orthodox Church is autocephalous (independent), in full eucharistic communion with the Greek, Russian, Constantinople and Bulgarian Patriarchates. This distinguishes Georgian Orthodoxy from neighbouring Armenian Apostolic Christianity (which is Oriental Orthodox, non-Chalcedonian) despite the geographic proximity.
The Georgian medieval Golden Age (11th-13th century) saw the building of the great cathedrals — Svetitskhoveli at Mtskheta (1010-1029), Bagrati at Kutaisi (1003), Alaverdi in Kakheti (early 11th century), Gelati Monastery (1106). King David IV the Builder (r. 1089-1125) and Queen Tamar (r. 1184-1213) — both buried at Gelati — presided over this golden age of Georgian Christian art, architecture and learning.
Georgia survived seven centuries of Persian, Mongol, Ottoman and Russian incursions while preserving its Christian identity. The Georgian Orthodox Church was abolished by the Russian Empire in 1811 and restored only in 1917 with Georgian independence. The Soviet period (1921-1991) saw widespread church destruction, but Mtskheta, Gelati and the major monasteries survived as museums.
Since Georgian independence (1991), the Orthodox Church has experienced a dramatic revival under Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia II (in office since 1977, the longest-serving Patriarch in the modern Orthodox world). Approximately 84% of Georgians identify as Orthodox today. The 2017 papal visit of Pope Francis to Tbilisi was a significant ecumenical event.
Pilgertipps für Georgia
- Georgien ist eines der günstigsten Pilgerziele in diesem Reiseführer. Unterkünfte, Mahlzeiten und Transport kosten einen Bruchteil der Preise West- oder Mitteleuropas.
- Marshrutkas (Minibusse) verbinden alle wichtigen Pilgerstätten zuverlässig und günstig. Taxis für Tagesausflüge sind ebenfalls erschwinglich.
- Besuchen Sie Mtskheta am frühen Morgen vor der Ankunft der Tagestouristen aus Tiflis.
Christliche Traditionen in Georgia
| Tradition | Description | Key Sites |
|---|---|---|
| Georgian Orthodox (Chalcedonian, autocephalous) | The overwhelming majority of Georgian Christians (84% of the population). The Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia (Ilia II since 1977) is the head of the church. In full eucharistic communion with the Greek, Russian, Constantinople Patriarchates. | Mtskheta (Svetitskhoveli + Jvari), Gelati, Vardzia, Alaverdi, David Gareja, Bagrati |
| Armenian Apostolic (Oriental Orthodox) | Small but significant Armenian community in Georgia — concentrated in Tbilisi (especially the Avlabari district) and in the south. The Norashen Church in Tbilisi is the principal Armenian Apostolic site in Georgia. | Norashen Church Tbilisi, Avlabari district churches |
| Catholic and Protestant | Small minorities (under 1% combined). Catholic churches in Tbilisi and other major cities; Baptist, Lutheran and various Evangelical traditions present. The Catholic Apostolic Administration of the Caucasus oversees the Georgian Catholic community. | Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church Tbilisi |