A photo book dedicated to Georgia’s religious buildings has been published, a crucially important event in our social, scientific, religious, and cultural life, said Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze in his speech at today’s presentation of the photo book Religious Buildings Operating in Georgia as of 2023.

According to the Head of Government, the photo book incorporates full and exhaustive information on both historical and contemporary religious buildings of all religious groups operating in the country.

The Prime Minister thanked the State Agency for Religious Issues, scientists, photo artists, and everyone contributing to the preparation and publication of the photo book.

“For the first time in Georgia, a photo book is published to bring together full and exhaustive information on both historical and contemporary religious buildings of all religious groups operating in the country. And that besides Tbilisi, because a similar book about the capital was published by the agency 4 years ago. The book also offers information about Georgia’s distribution of religions based on censuses.

This crucially important project is of enormous value, also being a clear demonstration of our country’s most important tradition of tolerance and coexistence of cultures.

Especially important is the fact that the book has been created through the joint efforts of various religious denominations, religious groups, and clerics as a remarkable expression and example of interreligious cooperation.

I am thankful to the leadership of the Agency for Religious Issues and each of its employees, also scientists, photo artists, and everyone contributing to the preparation and publication of the photo book.
I am confident that this photo book will be an excellent present for experts specializing in religion, historians, everyone cherishing Georgian history and interested in Georgia’s contemporary life,” Irakli Kobakhidze said.

The audience attending the new book’s presentation was also addressed with speeches by Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili, Chairman of the State Agency for Religious Issues Zaza Vashakmadze, and Representative of the Patriarchate of Georgia, His Eminence Chorbishop/Metropolitan Theodore, who read a statement on behalf of the Patriarch.

Members of Georgia’s Parliament and Government, representatives of the diplomatic corps and religious organizations attended the presentation.