International Scientific Conference
"1700 Years of Christian Georgia"
13–14 October 2026 Batumi, Georgia
Organizer: Batumi Shota Rustaveli State University Funded by: Ministry of Education and Sports of the Autonomous Republic of Adjara
Representatives of higher education and scientific-research institutions from Georgia and abroad, professors, researchers, doctoral candidates, and scholars with an interest in the relevant fields are invited to participate in the international scientific conference "1700 Years of Christian Georgia."
In 2026, Georgia marks 1700 years since the proclamation of Christianity as the state religion. This date is a historical event of particular significance both for Georgia and for the Christian world as a whole.
At the same time, the history of Georgia's Christianization is connected to a considerably earlier period. According to Georgian historical tradition, the first preacher of Christianity in Georgia was the Apostle Andrew the First-Called, who preached Christianity in Adjara, ordained the first priest, and built the first church.
The spread of Christianity and its subsequent proclamation as the state religion had a profound influence on the political, social, cultural, and spiritual development of Georgia. Over the centuries, the Christian faith played a significant role in the formation of Georgian statehood, the preservation of national and cultural identity, and the development of the Georgian language, literacy, education, and scholarship.
For centuries, the Georgian Orthodox Church has represented one of the most important institutions of the country's national identity, while the Christian heritage formed a significant foundation for Georgia's relations with the Christian world, cultural exchange, and international ties.
The jubilee date of "1700 Years of Christian Georgia" presents an important opportunity to study various aspects of the history of Georgian Christianity through contemporary scholarly methodologies, to enrich existing historiographical knowledge, to bring forward new written and archival sources, and to strengthen academic dialogue between Georgian and foreign researchers.
The international scientific conference aims to create a multidisciplinary scholarly platform bringing together researchers from history, theology, culture, science, education, diplomacy, and other related fields.
Objectives of the Conference
- To study the preconditions, process, and consequences of the preaching, spread, and proclamation as state religion of the Christian faith in Georgia;
- To highlight the role of Christianity in the process of building, defending, and developing Georgian statehood;
- To examine the interrelationship between the Christian faith and Georgian national identity;
- To study the role of the Georgian Orthodox Church in the development of Georgian culture, science, and education;
- To conduct scholarly research on the lives and work of Georgian saints and to promote their heritage;
- To study the role of the Georgian Church in strengthening and defending the country's international authority;
- To examine the interrelationship between the Georgian Church and Georgian diplomacy;
- To present new research based on Georgian and foreign written sources, archival materials, press, and memoir accounts;
- To share and disseminate the results of scholarly research already conducted;
- To strengthen cooperation between Georgian and European educational and scientific institutions;
- To present Georgia's historical and civilizational significance as one of the world's oldest Christian countries at the international level;
- To strengthen international scientific cooperation and academic dialogue.
Thematic Directions of the Conference:
- The Spread of Christianity in Georgia
- The Georgian Orthodox Church and Georgian Statehood
- The Autocephaly of the Georgian Orthodox Apostolic Church
- The Georgian Church and Georgian Diplomacy
- Georgian Theology
- Georgian Saints
- The Georgian Orthodox Church and Georgian Culture, Science, and Education
- Christianity in Georgian Literature
- Christianity in Adjara
- The Revival of the Georgian Orthodox Church - Late 20th Century to the First Quarter of the 21st Century
The Conference Will Include
- The official opening of the conference;
- A plenary session;
- Thematic sections;
- Presentations of scholarly papers;
- Scientific discussions and Q&A sessions;
- A summary and closing of the conference results;
- A cultural-educational program.
Participation in the conference is possible both in person and online.
For conference participants, a cultural-educational tour of highland Adjara will be organized. The purpose of the tour is to acquaint Georgian and foreign representatives with the historical, cultural, and religious heritage of Adjara, and to present the historical-cultural environment of particular importance to the history of the spread and development of Christianity in Georgia.
Registration and Submission
Participants must send the completed registration form (Appendix 1) to iscgeorgia1700@gmail.com no later than 31 August.
Upon confirmation of participation, presenters must submit the complete scholarly paper no later than 15 September.
The paper must:
- Constitute original scholarly research;
- Correspond to one of the conference's thematic directions;
- Not exceed 10 pages;
- Meet the scholarly and technical requirements established for academic papers;
- Be written in Georgian or English.
Submitted papers will undergo the corresponding scholarly and editorial review procedure.
Detailed requirements for the technical formatting of papers are provided in Appendix 2.
Eligible participants include:
- University professors and academic staff;
- Researchers and representatives of scientific-research institutions;
- Doctoral candidates;
- Historians and theologians;
- Researchers in culture, education, science, and other relevant fields;
- Representatives of higher education institutions from Georgia and abroad.
Important Dates
- Conference registration - until 31 August
- Confirmation of participation - until 6 September
- Submission of the complete scholarly paper - until 15 September
Conference dates: 13–14 October 2026
Contact Person
Professor Jemal Karalidze Jemal.karalidze@bsu.edu.ge +995 577 17 97 70
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