Baptists are a branch of the Christian faith; however, all Baptists may be Christian, but not all Christians are Baptists. The main difference concerning Baptists and other Christians is how they see Baptism; they believe that one can only be baptized if theyβve made a formal declaration of belief in God with an immersion in water. Over 80% of Georgians would classify themselves are Christian, the majority of whom are Eastern Orthodox. Despite this, there are approximately 8,000 Baptists in Georgia β less than 1% of the population.
According to the legends, Mary and the apostles divided the countries of the world amongst them for the sake of preaching the gospel. The East Georgian Kingdom of Iberia fell to Mary, who was a designated missionary to the country. Another legend is told about St. Nino, whom lead to the christianization of Iberia. Nino, who possessed the gift of healing, saved the Georgian Queen Nana, who converted to Christianity. A year later, while King Mirian was out hunting, the sun eclipsed in the Tkhoti mountains and everyone became enveloped in darkness until the king prayed for deliverance and invoked Ninoβs god. The rest of the kingdom followed, becoming Christians.
In 1867, the Evangelical Baptist Church was formed by the community of Molokans who had fled from Russia. There was a period of collaboration between the Evangelical Christians and Baptists until 1944. Then, from 1944 to 1991, the two groups joined together to become the Evangelical Christians-Baptists as a part of the Soviet eraβs All-Union Council of Evangelical Christian Baptists. Additionally, later on in 1991, the newer autocephalous Evangelical Christians-Baptists Church of Georgia (EBCCG) replaced the earlier All-Union Council of Evangelical Christians-Baptists. Furthermore, the name was again changed to the Evangelical Baptist Church of Georgia (EBCG) shortly afterward.
The USSR occupied Georgia from 1922 to 1991, and religious suppression was a primary method for the Soviets to take broader control over society. Within Communism, Marx and Lenin wrote about religion as an βopium of the peopleβ, or a means by which the ruling class could pacify or even control the working class. This inspired a long period of state-sanctioned atheism where religious institutions were suppressed in favor of the scientific materialism that the Soviets prided themselves on. The practice of religion was very limited, and if it was practiced, it was hidden from the USSR. To scrub all references of religion from school curricula, the USSR created the Peopleβs Commisariat for Enlightenment. The Communist Party destroyed and desecrated churches, mosques, synagogues, and executed and harassed religious leaders during this dark period. Christians who decided to practice their religion were often persecuted by fines, imprisonment, execution, or even exile to Siberia. Overall, this was a dark period for religious individuals who had to hide their faith, but this never completely stamped out religion in Georgia as Baptists, alongside other religious groups, live on to this day. Nowadays, the majority of Georgiaβs population (84%) consider themselves to be religious, with a majority being Christian. The Baptist faith is prospering through several small churches throughout the country including the Peace Cathedral, the Tbilisi International Baptist Church (αααααα‘αα‘ α‘ααα ααα¨αα αα‘α αααα’αα‘α’α£α α ααααα‘αα), and the Tbilisi Evangelical Baptist Church (αααααα‘αα‘ αααααααα£α -αααα’αα‘α’α£α α α’αα«αα α).
In Evangelical Christian Baptists of Georgia, Bishop Malkhaz Songulashvili traces the remarkable journey of Georgian Baptists β from their 19th-century roots to their distinct identity today. Drawing from previously untranslated archival sources in Georgian, Russian, German, and English, he weaves a compelling narrative of religious resilience, cultural fusion, and spiritual renewal in the heart of the Caucasus.
This is more than a church historyβitβs a portrait of faith shaped by struggle, liturgy shaped by tradition, and a vision shaped by hope. Through political upheaval, persecution, and transformation, Georgian Baptists have forged a spiritual identity that is both deeply rooted and radically inclusive.
In Evangelical Christian Baptists of Georgia, Bishop Malkhaz Songulashvili explores the rich and resilient history of Georgian Baptists β from their 19th-century origins to their uniquely inclusive faith today. Drawing on rare archival sources, he tells a comprehensive story of tradition, struggle, and spiritual transformation in the Caucasus.
In Evangelical Christian Baptists of Georgia, Bishop Malkhaz Songulashvili explores the rich and resilient history of Georgian Baptists β from their 19th-century origins to their uniquely inclusive faith today. Drawing on rare archival sources, he tells a comprehensive story of tradition, struggle, and spiritual transformation in the Caucasus.
peacecathedral.tbilisi@gmail.com
Peace Cathedral
Evangelical-Baptist Church of Georgia
6 Spiridon Kedia Street. 0108 Tbilisi, GEORGIA.