Georgia has officially begun celebrations leading up to the 1700th anniversary of the adoption of Christianity as the state religion, with major commemorations held in Mtskheta, the spiritual heart of the country, during the annual Svetitskhovloba festival.

The holiday, one of the most revered in the Georgian Orthodox Church, honors the Holy Tunic of Christ and the Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, the nation’s most sacred Christian shrine. According to ancient tradition, the robe of Jesus was buried in Mtskheta in the 1st century, and from its resting place a miraculous cedar tree — the Life-Giving Pillar — grew, giving the feast its name.

A festive Divine Liturgy was celebrated in Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, led by Metropolitan Shio (Mujiri), Patriarchal Locum Tenens, together with a large assembly of clergy.

This year’s celebration took on special significance as it marked the beginning of preparations for the milestone anniversary in 2026. According to the Georgian Church and historians, the year 326 AD is recognized as the date when Christianity was officially declared the state religion of the Kingdom of Kartli, making Georgia one of the first Christian nations in the world.

To coordinate the nationwide celebrations, a joint Church-State Commission has been established. During the liturgy, Metropolitan Shio read the Commission’s official address to the nation, emphasizing that Christianity is the foundation of Georgia’s spiritual and national identity.

The message to the people of Georgia and the diaspora recalled the enduring legacy of key figures in Georgian Christian history — Saint Nino, King Mirian, King David the Builder, and the New Martyrs of the 20th century — and called for unity, spiritual renewal, and peace.

Quoting Patriarch Ilia II, the address stated:

“Our Christianity ends where our love for our neighbor ends.”

Metropolitan Shio also encouraged active participation in the 2026 jubilee, not only in churches but also in families, schools, communities, and cultural institutions, both in Georgia and abroad.

The Commission has been tasked with drafting a comprehensive program of religious and cultural events for 2026, including liturgical services, lectures, exhibitions, and civic initiatives. Its statement urged society to make the strengthening of national values a shared responsibility.