Topic: The Georgian Orthodox Church

[Rosehip]

If this isn't the right forum for this topic, dear moderators, please feel free to move it!

I would love to learn more about the Georgian Orthodox Church. As I understand, it is an extremely ancient church. What distinctives does the Georgian Church have? Is it  more like one of the OO churches in doctrine, or is it EO?

[Orthodoc]

If this isn't the right forum for this topic, dear moderators, please feel free to move it!

I would love to learn more about the Georgian Orthodox Church. As I understand, it is an extremely ancient church. What distinctives does the Georgian Church have? Is it  more like one of the OO churches in doctrine, or is it EO?

The Georgian Orthodox Church is EO.  It was founded by St Nina in either the second or third century. It is one of the oldest Christian churches.

[Heorhij]

It's EO. Here are some nice pictures:

http://www.voyagegeorgie.com/Home_fichiers/Pictures_Georgia_Caucasus.htm

History:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Georgian_Orthodox_Church

[Rosehip]

Thanks! The pictures are beautiful! Someone had told me the Geogians were monophysite, and so I had wondered. I'm hoping to find some Georgian spiritual music on youtube. If anyone has any suggestions, please let me know!

[PeterTheAleut]

Someone had told me the Geogians were monophysite, and so I had wondered.

Monophysite as in the Eutychian heretics, or miaphysite as in the Oriental Orthodox?  There is a difference.

[Quinault]

http://www.patriarchate.ge/_en/

This could give you more information also.

[Heorhij]

Thanks! The pictures are beautiful! Someone had told me the Geogians were monophysite, and so I had wondered. I'm hoping to find some Georgian spiritual music on youtube. If anyone has any suggestions, please let me know!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7TNHM1jtvbA

Se also related videos (links on the right hand side of your screen.)

[Rosehip]

Thanks! Somewhere in the depths of this link:  http://www.theologyweb.com/campus/showthread.php?p=2057371

it says that the Georgian Church used to be miaphysite, but became EO. Interesting. I haven't read the thread I linked above properly yet, though.

[Αριστοκλής]

Thanks! Somewhere in the depths of this link:  http://www.theologyweb.com/campus/showthread.php?p=2057371

it says that the Georgian Church used to be miaphysite, but became EO. Interesting. I haven't read the thread I linked above properly yet, though.

That is true, but you'll not readily find that fact on their official website.

[Salpy]

http://www.orthodoxchristianity.net/forum/index.php/topic,16969.msg246839.html#new

The book in the above link documents how the Georgians went from rejecting Chalcedon to accepting it.

[Heorhij]

Here's another good video, about Patriarch Ilia II. Very good singing:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htXCOJuhm5I&feature=related

[88Devin12]

Wasn't Mary once chosen to go to Georgia, but then that changed?

[Jean-Serge]

The Theotokos was given Georgia as her "land". So he visited Saint Nino in a dream telling her to go to Georgia. When Saint Nino woke up, he find in her hand a cross (that can still be venerated today).

[Pilgrim]

I think the Come Recieve the Light podcast had an episode about St. Nina, if anyone is interested.

Many Years to Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia II and the Holy Church in Georgia!
St. Nina and all saints of Georgia, pray for us!

[deusveritasest]

I would love to learn more about the Georgian Orthodox Church. As I understand, it is an extremely ancient church. What distinctives does the Georgian Church have? Is it  more like one of the OO churches in doctrine, or is it EO?

One of the interesting distinctives of the Georgian church is the use of an ancient polyphonic (triphonic) chant, rather different from anything else in the EO or OO traditions.

The Georgian church has an interesting doctrinal history. In the aftermath of Chalcedon, it at first remained in full communion with its neighbor Armenian church, even after the Armenian church had explicitly rejected Chalcedon in about ~500. The Georgian church, however, for some reason I do not yet understand, decided in about ~600 to shift to the side of support for Chalcedon, and since that time it has been an Eastern Orthodox church rather than an Oriental Orthodox church.

The Georgian church is one of the few EO churches that is not derived from the Patriarchate of Constantinople (as Russia, Serbia, Romania, etc. are), but rather from the Patriarchate of Antioch.

It is one of the oldest autocephalous churches, having been granted full independence in the late 5th century from the Patriarchate of Antioch.

[deusveritasest]

Someone had told me the Geogians were monophysite, and so I had wondered.

The Georgians, being in full communion with the Non-Chalcedonian Armenian church in the 6th century, were technically Oriental Orthodox during this period, ending in the early 7th century.

[ativan]

I'm sorry but there are some mistakes about Georgian Orthodox Church. Information presented here is at least quite different then our own Holy Tradition says. I'll point out some errors at this point: Georgian church was not established by 13 Syrian fathers (all of whom are considered great saints of Georgia). They can't be anti-Chalcedonian. How "anti-Chalcedonian" Saint Shio (who was one of the 13 Syrian fathers) can be recognized as a Eastern Orthodox Saint?

Secondly, Georgian Church was established in the begging of 4th century by The great saint equal-to-apostles saint Nino. But in actuality Christianity was spread in Georgia (iberia) while Christianity started to form. There's a famous Holy tradition that says after some time apostles and Most Holy Theotokos cast a lot who would teach the way and in what countries. The cas for Georgia fell on Most Holy Theotokos. She was ready to travel to Georgia, but an Angel delivered message to her that God did not want to her to go there for now since her days were nearing. So Christ directed her to sand 2 apostles Andrew the first-called and  Simon Canaanite. These two went to Georgia and first taught Christianity there. Later Mattathias (who was chosen instead of Judas Iscariot) went to preach in Georgia. In fact 2 of them (Simon Canaanite and Mattathias) are buried in Georgia per our Holy tradition. By the way, Before 2 apostles went to Georgia Most Holy Theotokos took a piece of wood, put it in front of her Most Holy face and her image was miraculously transferred to the wood. So the Icon, not-made-by-hand, of Most Holy Theotokos was created and she sent it with the apostles. This icon is still in Georgia (At least that is what our tradition says). Here's the image of the icon:



For those who are intrested in Georgian chants, Below are some of the youtube links:
Sacred Cherubic Hymn
Christ has risen
You are th grapevine
Lord Have Mercy
Lord come to me

The last chant (Lord come to me) is composed by his Holiness Patriarch Ilia II

God bless us all

[Fabio Leite]

Movie about the life of St. Nina

http://www.stninofilm.com/

and trailer on youtube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4O_TYHJEGDQ