Georgian Prime Minister highlights Christianity’s role in shaping nation’s identity over 1 700 years
Irakli Kobakhidze
Photo: Administration of Government
Georgian prime minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Sunday said that the 1 700-year history of Christianity as a state religion was central to Georgia’s national identity, culture, and values.
In his address, Kobakhidze highlighted the historical and cultural significance of Christianity in shaping the country’s identity.
“Congratulations on the Day of Family Purity and Respect for Parents. This year’s May 17 is especially significant for each of us. We are marking 1 700 years since Christianity was declared the state religion”, he said.
“Seventeen centuries ago, Christianity became one of the main pillars of our country’s identity, which defined our unique culture and values. It is on this cultural and value-based foundation that May 17 was declared the Day of Family Purity and Respect for Parents”, Kobakhidze concluded.
All News
17 May 2026, 16:45
Politics
Georgian Justice Minister: strong family “backbone and foundation” of strong state
Georgian justice minister Paata Salia on Sunday said that Georgia is a centuries-old nation whose traditions have played a central role in shaping its development up to the present day, emphasising that respect for family and parents remains one of the country’s core cultural values.
17 May 2026, 16:18
Society
Georgian Patriarch Shio III calls for strengthening family value legislation
On the Day of Family Purity and Respect for Parents, His Holiness and Beatitude Shio III, Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, Archbishop of Mtskheta-Tbilisi and Metropolitan of Bichvinta and Tskhum-Abkhazia, on Sunday addressed the congregation at the Holy Trinity Cathedral, delivering a strong message on the protection of traditional family values, demographic challenges, and legislative reinforcement.
17 May 2026, 15:38
Politics
Georgian Parliament Speaker highlights family as pillar of nation and statehood
Speaking at a solemn liturgy dedicated to Family Purity Day, the Georgian Parliament speaker Shalva Papuashvili on Sunday emphasised the central role of the family in shaping society, national identity, and the state.
17 May 2026, 15:24
Politics
Georgian President emphasises role of family in strengthening nation on Family Purity Day
Georgian president Mikheil Kavelashvili on Sunday attended a special service at the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Tbilisi, dedicated to Family Purity and Respect for Parents Day.
17 May 2026, 15:12
Politics
Georgian PM: Georgia will firmly defend Christianity, Orthodoxy, values that define essence of Georgian nation
At a ceremony held at the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Tbilisi, Georgian prime minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Sunday said that, under divine protection and the spiritual leadership of the Patriarch Shio III, Georgia would firmly defend Christianity, Orthodoxy, and the values that define the essence of the Georgian nation.
17 May 2026, 14:53
Society
Georgian Patriarch Shio III highlights family as foundation of national identity
At a sermon delivered at the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Tbilisi, the head of the Georgian Orthodox Church, Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, Mtskheta-Tbilisi Archbishop and Metropolitan of Pitsunda and Tskhum-Abkhazia Shio Mujiri, emphasised the symbolic importance of marking the Day of Family Purity and Respect for Parents.
17 May 2026, 13:11
Politics
Georgian Vice PM: faith, identity, tradition “sacred” for Georgians
Georgian vice prime minister and state minister for coordination of law enforcement agencies Mamuka Mdinaradze on Sunday said that for Georgians, everything connected to “faith, identity, and tradition” was sacred, expressing hope that similar attitudes toward such values exist worldwide.
17 May 2026, 12:28
Society
Gov’t officials congratulate citizens on Family Purity Day
Top Georgian officials, including the Georgian president Mikheil Kavelashvili, prime minister Irakli Kobakhidze, and parliament speaker Shalva Papuashvili, have extended congratulations to citizens on Family Purity Day and Respect for Parents Day.
17 May 2026, 12:15
Society
Georgia marks Day of Family Purity and Respect for Parents
Georgia marks the Day of Family Purity and Respect for Parents with gatherings and public processions taking place across the country under the blessing of the Georgian Orthodox Church.
16 May 2026, 16:57
Politics
Georgian Parliament official criticises “double standards” after Copenhagen protest dispersal
Rati Ionatamishvili, the chair of the human rights and civil integration committee of the Georgian Parliament, on Saturday said that events in Copenhagen reflected what he describes as double standards within European institutions, arguing that such approaches damage Europe’s international image.
16 May 2026, 13:35
Politics
Georgian Parliament Vice Speaker criticises “biased attitude” toward Georgia following protest dispersal in Denmark
Gia Volski, an MP from the ruling Georgian Dream party and the first vice speaker of the Parliament, on Friday said that the forceful dispersal of a protest in Copenhagen demonstrated what he described as a biased approach by some European actors toward Georgia.
16 May 2026, 12:36
Economy
Fitch Ratings reaffirms Georgia’s BB sovereign rating with stable outlook
The International credit rating agency Fitch maintained Georgia’s sovereign credit rating at BB with a stable outlook, citing strong economic growth, prudent fiscal policies, and a stable banking sector.
15 May 2026, 22:13
Politics
MEP Tomasz Froelich slams European Parliament over Imedi TV accreditation decision
European Parliament member Tomasz Froelich on Friday slammed the decision of the European Parliament to suspend the accreditation for Imedi TV, accusing the EU legislative body of double standards.
15 May 2026, 22:04
Politics
Georgian Parliament official: dialogue has no alternative in Georgia-Ukraine relations
Rati Ionatamishvili, the chair of the human rights and civil integration committee of the Georgian Parliament, on Friday said that direct dialogue was the only viable path in Georgia-Ukraine relations, arguing that communication was preferable to external calls for Georgia’s involvement in the war.
15 May 2026, 22:02
Politics
Georgian Parliament official slams Eurocrats, claims “value crisis” in EU institutions
Rati Ionatamishvili, the chair of the human rights and civil integration committee of the Georgian Parliament, on Friday said that European bureaucratic institutions were facing a “value crisis”, criticising what he described as unfair and inconsistent decisions towards Georgia and its media outlets.
15 May 2026, 22:00
Politics
Georgian parliamentary delegation meets with Pope Leo XIV and Vatican Secretary of State Pietro Parolin
As part of an official visit to Italy, a Georgian parliamentary delegation led by Nikoloz Samkharadze, the chair of the Georgian Parliament’s foreign relations committee, on Friday held meetings with Pope Leo XIV and Vatican secretary of state Cardinal Pietro Parolin, discussing Georgia’s European integration, regional security, and the situation in the Russian-occupied territories.
15 May 2026, 21:58
Politics
Georgian PM: 2028 elections will be held under current legislation
Georgian prime minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Friday said that the 2028 parliamentary elections would be conducted under the country’s existing electoral legislation, which he described as fully aligned with international standards.
15 May 2026, 17:10
Foreign policy
Georgian, Ukrainian FMs reaffirm importance of restoring healthy diplomatic relations
Georgia’s consistent political and humanitarian support for Ukraine was discussed on Friday in a meeting between Georgian foreign minister Maka Botchorishvili and her Ukrainian counterpart Andrii Sybiha within the framework of the 135th session of the committee of ministers of the council of Europe held in Chisinau.
15 May 2026, 17:01
Politics
Georgian FM welcomes Kyiv’s steps toward continued dialogue
Georgian foreign minister Maka Botchorishvili on Friday said it was important for the Ukrainian side to have a “correct understanding” of public attitudes in Georgia regarding the actions and rhetoric demonstrated by representatives of the Ukrainian government in recent years.