His Beatitude Daniel, Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church, transmitted a message to Patriarch Shio III of Georgia on Wednesday, as the Georgian Orthodox Church marks 1700 years since Christianity became state religion in Georgia.
Patriarch Daniel emphasized that “anthe anniversary of 1700 years since Christianity became the state religion in Georgia is not merely a commemoration of the past, but also an opportunity for strengthening our faith and for looking towards the future with hope and responsibility. The faith received from our forebears must be preserved and passed on, especially to young people and children”.
The message was conveyed by His Eminence Nifon, Archbishop of Târgoviște, Honorary Metropolitan and Patriarchal Exarch.
Full text:
No. 9.945/2026
Bucharest, 14 October 2026
His Beatitude Shio III,
Archbishop of Mtskheta and Tbilisi,
Metropolitan of Bichvinta and Tskhum-Abkhazia,
Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia
Your Beatitude,
With great joy in our Lord Jesus Christ, we address Your Beatitude, the members of the Holy Synod, and the entire Orthodox Church of Georgia, conveying our congratulations on the occasion of the 1700th anniversary of the proclamation of Christianity as the state religion in Georgia.
This anniversary represents a particularly important moment for the entire Orthodox Church. It reminds us of the beginnings of Christianity in Georgia and of the missionary work through which the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ was proclaimed and received by the Georgian people. A special place in this history belongs to Saint Nino, Equal-to-the-Apostles and Enlightener of Georgia, whose faith and self-sacrifice contributed to the spread of Christianity throughout this country.
Throughout these 1700 years, the Orthodox Church of Georgia has endured many trials. It has experienced periods of persecution, wars, and suffering, yet it has preserved its faith and tradition. Numerous saints, hierarchs, monks, nuns, and believers have defended the Christian faith with great courage. Through their Orthodox way of life and their sacrifice, they have bequeathed to subsequent generations a spiritual heritage of great value. Looking upon this long history, we are called to give thanks to God for the gift of faith and for all the blessings He has bestowed upon the Orthodox Church of Georgia.
At the same time, the anniversary of 1700 years since Christianity became the state religion in Georgia is not merely a commemoration of the past, but also an opportunity for strengthening our faith and for looking towards the future with hope and responsibility. The faith received from our forebears must be preserved and passed on, especially to young people and children. In today’s world, the message of the Gospel of Christ is more necessary than ever. In the face of the many challenges of the contemporary world, the Church is called to proclaim the love of God, to uphold the dignity of the human person, and to encourage peace, solidarity, and mutual respect among people and nations.
On the occasion of this blessed anniversary, we pray that God may bless the Orthodox Church of Georgia, all its hierarchs, priests, and faithful. We also pray for the peace and well-being of the Georgian people and for the strengthening of the fraternal bonds of communion between the Romanian Orthodox Church and the Orthodox Church of Georgia.
With high esteen and fraternal love in Christ our Lord,
† Daniel
Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church
