Analyzes Georgian perceptions of Catholicism before Russian rule

Abstract

This article argues that, before Russian rule, Georgians viewed Catholicism as largely compatible with their Orthodox tradition. Reviewing Anania  Japaridze and Mikheil Tamarashvili, it shows that in medieval times Georgians saw Orthodoxy and Catholicism as similar forms of Christianity, often referring to Catholics as Orthodox. The Georgian Apostolic Church called itself
„Catholic, “ like Rome, to express universality. Legal and doctrinal similarities deepened these ties, with Georgian church law resembling Roman law more than Byzantine or Russian. Catholicism was accepted by both commoners and elites, and intermarriage was seen as legitimate. Despite doctrinal differences, both churches were seen as part of Christ’s Church until Russian rule suppressed Catholicism in Georgia and ended the Georgian Church’s autonomy in the early 1800s.