Geo
EngNews
National Archives Marks 1700th Anniversary of the Conversion of Kartli to Christianity with Exhibition
An exhibition titled “Saint Nino – the Enlightener of Georgia” has opened at the exhibition pavilion of the National Archives of Georgia, commemorating the 1700th anniversary of the declaration of Christianity as the state religion of Georgia in the 4th century.
The opening ceremony was attended by the Minister of Justice of Georgia, Paata Salia, and the Director General of the National Archives, Teona Iashvili.
The exhibition features photographs taken during National Archives expeditions conducted both in Georgia—including Tbilisi, Tsalenjikha, Sepieti, Bochorma, Vardzia, Lake Paravani, Bodbe, Shiomghvime, Gelati, Ujarma, Mtskheta, and Satkhe—and abroad, in Azerbaijan and Turkey. These materials are related to the life and activities of Saint Nino in Georgia. The exhibition also presents manuscripts connected to the conversion of Kartli (including gulani and collections of historical works), historical documents such as deeds donated to the Bodbe Monastery in the name of Saint Nino, and photographic materials preserved in the National Archives.
The frescoes documented during the expeditions date from the 11th to the 17th centuries, while the manuscripts and historical documents date from the 16th to the 18th centuries.
The aim of the exhibition is to introduce the general public to unique visual and archival materials reflecting the history of the Christianization of Georgia and to highlight the profound significance of this epochal event in the spiritual, cultural, and state development of the Georgian nation.
As part of the event, a brochure dedicated to Saint Nino was presented. In addition, the National Archives is currently producing a documentary film about Saint Nino, which will be made available to the public throughout the year. The topic will also be central to the 11th International Scientific Conference of the National Archives, “Archival Studies and Source Studies: Trends and Challenges,” where Georgian and international scholars will present their latest research on the Christianization of Georgia. Held annually since 2016, the conference promotes new scholarly research, strengthens academic cooperation, and fosters closer ties between Georgian and foreign researchers.
The exhibition opening was also attended by Deputy Ministers of Justice, representatives of the Georgian Patriarchate, the Chairman of the Government of Abkhazia, Giorgi Jincharadze, the Minister of Justice of Abkhazia, Aliona Chkhotua, and representatives of cultural and educational institutions.