Georgian Orthodox Church
The Apostolic Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Georgia (Georgian: საქართველოს სამოციქულო ავტოკეფალური მართლმადიდებელი ეკლესია, romanized: sakartvelos samotsikulo avt'ok'epaluri martlmadidebeli ek'lesia), commonly known as the Georgian Orthodox Church or the Orthodox Church of Georgia, is an autocephalous Eastern Orthodox church in full communion with the other churches of Eastern Orthodoxy. It is Georgia's dominant religious institution, and a majority of Georgian people are members. The Orthodox Church of Georgia is one of the oldest churches in the world. It asserts apostolic foundation, and that its historical roots can be traced to the early and late Christianization of Iberia and Colchis by Andrew the Apostle in the 1st century AD and by Saint Nino in the 4th century AD, respectively. As in similar autocephalous Eastern Orthodox Christian churches, the church's highest governing body is the holy synod of bishops. The church is headed by the Patriarch of All Georgia, Ilia II, who was elected in 1977.
| Apostolic Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Georgia | |
|---|---|
Coat of arms of the Orthodox Church of Georgia | |
| Classification | Eastern Orthodox |
| Scripture | Septuagint, New Testament |
| Theology | Eastern Orthodox theology, Palamism |
| Polity | Episcopal polity |
| Primate | Ilia II of Georgia |
| Language | Georgian |
| Headquarters | Tbilisi, Georgia |
| Territory | Georgia |
| Possessions | Western Europe, Russia, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Australia, Armenia |
| Founder | Saint Andrew (Colchis); Saint Nino, Mirian III (Iberia) |
| Independence | From Antioch dates vary between 467-491 and 1010, From Russia in 1917, 1943 |
| Recognition | Autocephaly gradually conferred by the Church of Antioch and recognized by most of the Church, dates vary between 467-491 and 1010. Autocephaly quashed by the Russian Orthodox Church in 1811 on orders of the Tsar, partially restored in 1917, fully restored in 1943. Recognized by the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople in 1990. |
| Separations | Abkhazian Orthodox Church (2009) |
| Members | 3.5 million (2011) |
| Official website | www.patriarchate.ge |
| |
| Part of a series on the |
| Eastern Orthodox Church |
|---|
| Overview |
|
Eastern Orthodox Christianity was the state religion throughout most of Georgia's history until 1921, when the country, having declared independence from Russia in 1918, was conquered by the Red Army during the Soviet invasion of Georgia, becoming part of the Soviet Union. The current Constitution of Georgia recognizes the special role of the Georgian Orthodox Church in the country's history, but also stipulates the independence of the church from the state. Government relations are further defined and regulated by the Concordat of 2002.
The Georgian Orthodox Church is the most trusted institution in Georgia. According to a 2013 survey, 95% respondents had a favorable opinion of its work. It is highly influential in the public sphere and is considered Georgia's most influential institution.