Georgia as the Christian Orthodox country is the home of different
religions and example of tolerance. In this country many nations
have been living for centuries paying respect to each other’s
religions.
Georgian people always fought to maintain religion, notwithstanding
the invasions and influences of different cultures.
As it is the country with long running history, Georgia experienced
pre-Christian period, when inhabitants had primitive beliefs and
worshipped different deities. Traces of sun worshipping, moon
worshipping, tree, stone worshipping, Mithraism, Zoroastrianism and
etc. in Georgia were confirmed by historians and archeologists.
Christian religion was introduced to Georgian people in the I
century, when Jesus Christ’s apostles Andrew the first
called, Simon and Matthew came to the western Georgia bringing the
holy icon of mother Marry. Many Georgian people embraced
Christianity, but new religion was not accustomed throughout
Georgia.
The beginning of the IV century is the new Historical era in
Georgian life. Young lady St.Nino of Cappadocia came with the
grapevine cross and enlightened Georgian people. The first Georgian
king Mirian III declared the Christianity as a state religion.
Religion