A Presentation of Metropolitan Anania Japaridze’s New Scientific Work Held at the GTU

“Ecclesiastical jurisdiction in Western Georgia, especially issues related to Abkhazia, is a complex topic that is not limited to the field of theology – it includes historiography, ancient legal sources, regional political development, ethnocultural processes, and important layers of state identity. The study of the historical ecclesiastical jurisdiction of Abkhazia is an important key issue in the history of our country. Over time, this topic has often been characterized by misinterpretation, deliberate distortion, or the influence of emotional-political views. Therefore, revisiting this issue through rigorous scientific research is of national significance. This work seeks to provide well-founded arguments supporting the historical truth that has shaped the ecclesiastical, cultural, and state framework of our country over the centuries.”, remarked Academician David Gurgenidze, Rector of the Georgian Technical University, during the presentation of a new scientific publication by the Metropolitan of Manglisi and Tetritskaro, Head of the GTU Theological Educational and Scientific Center, Professor Rev. Anania Japaridze.

A presentation of the book “Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction in Western Georgia. Abkhazia” by Rev. Anania (Japaridze), the Bishop of the Georgian Orthodox Church, Metropolitan of Manglisi and Tetritskaro, member of the Holy Synod of the Georgian Orthodox Church, head of the GTU Theological Educational and Scientific Center, chairman of the Standing Commission for Establishing the Real History of the Patriarchate, head of the Scientific and Research Center for the Study of Objective History of the Georgian University named after St. Andrew the First-Called, was held at the Georgian Technical University.

The event, which was attended by Abba Metropolitan David of Alaverdi, Metropolitan Saba of the Khoni and Samtredia Diocese, clergy, Chairman of the Supreme Council of the Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia Jemal Gamakharia, academic and scientific staff of the Georgian Technical University, students, and other guests, was opened by the rector of the Georgian Technical University. As Academician David Gurgenidze noted, the two-volume work is of particular importance for research related to both church history and the country’s state self-awareness.

According to David Gurgenidze, Bishop Anania, with great accuracy and based on factual archives, provides answers to questions that have been the subject of debate for decades: Where is the historical basis of the church jurisdiction of Abkhazia? How was the church structure of Western Georgia formed? On what documentary material is the historical sovereignty of the Georgian Church in this region based? And most importantly, what is the real content of those historical processes that are often perceived in a politicized light?

“Behind the Abkhazian issue lies our historical memory, national self-awareness, a fair attitude towards history, and the foundations of state self-identification. The work of Bishop Anania forms one of the most important pillars in this process. It allows the reader to verify with facts and archival materials how the Church of Western Georgia developed, how the borders of its jurisdiction were prepared and consolidated, and how all this fits into the overall historical picture of Georgia. Thus, the book topic is not only of academic importance. It is the issue that concerns the consolidation of the country’s historical reality, the prevention of disinformation, and the strengthening of the national foundations on which our state stands. This publication is of particular importance not only for researchers of church history, but also for general historiography, law, the formation of the state space, and culturological studies of the country.

The many years of scientific activity of Bishop Anania, his special discipline, and a unique research methodology have given this publication a high academical level and factual accuracy.

We are especially proud that Reverend Anania is the head of the Theological Educational and Scientific Center of the Georgian Technical University. This once again emphasizes the fact that the GTU is a broad academic platform, where different directions of science are equally valued and together create a high intellectual space.

I would like to express special gratitude to Reverend Anania for his tireless scientific contribution, for his striving for historical truth, which is necessary for the formation of the country’s correct self-perception. I am confident that the book presented today will lay the foundation for new research discussions and, on the other hand, will once again demonstrate the necessity that discussions, research, and scientific analysis of complex historical events should always be based only on facts, objectivity, and justice,” David Gurgenidze noted in his speech.

At the presentation of the new book “Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction in Western Georgia. Abkhazia,” published by the Metropolitan of Manglisi and Tetritskaro, Head of the GTU Theological Educational and Scientific Center, Rev. Anania Japaridze, the Chairman of the Supreme Council of the Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia, Jemal Gamakharia, Metropolitan David, Metropolitan Saba, Professor, Deacon Levan Mateshvili, Doctor of Theology, Professor Vazha Otarashvili, PhD student Ioane Chigladze, as well as representatives of GTU scientific and academic circles, delivered evaluation reports.

With the initiative and support of the rector, academician David Gurgenidze, the two-volume work by Rev. Anania Japaridze, “Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction in Western Georgia. Abkhazia,” will be translated into several languages.