About the Roman Catholic Lipartianis

Abstract

The Lipartiani family was once a strong, noble house in the Samegrelo region, Western Georgia. Their territory was named after them: “Salipartiano”. Due to the work of the Roman Catholic missionaries in the Samegrelo principality, the Lipartiani house converted to the Roman Catholic Church, and its members became strong supporters of Catholic missionary work among the Mingrelians. The purpose of this article is to give readers information about their conversion, and to present excerpts from letters that missionaries sent to Rome. The article details how the Catholic Lipartianis survived the difficulties of the Russian and Soviet empires, and the challenges faced in the era of modern, independent Georgia. The author is a descendant of the Lipartiani family, and therefore is able to give special insight into this issue. This article is a first attempt at research, writing and publishing on this matter in academic circles.