The Parliament of Georgia hosted the spring session of the International Secretariat of the Interparliamentary Assembly on Orthodoxy (IAO).

 

The participants of the event were addressed with a welcoming speech by the Speaker of the Parliament, H.E. Shalva Papuashvili.

 

Shalva Papuashvili spoke about the role of Orthodoxy in Georgia and noted that the Assembly’s visit is particularly significant at a time when the country is marking the 1700th anniversary of the proclamation of Christianity.

 

“For Georgia, Orthodoxy is not merely a religion—it is the foundation of national identity and historical continuity. Since the declaration of Christianity as the state religion in the 4th century, the Georgian Orthodox tradition has played a decisive role in preserving our language, culture, and statehood, especially during the most difficult periods of our history. It has been a source of unity, resilience, and moral strength”, - stated Shalva Papuashvili.

 

The Speaker also focused on the activities of the Assembly and the importance of Christian values in the modern world.

 

“In today’s world, characterized by rapid changes, uncertainty, and division, Orthodox Christian values serve as a firm moral compass. They remind us of the inviolability of human dignity, the necessity of solidarity, and the power of faith, compassion, and justice. The Assembly is a unique platform for dialogue and cooperation. It provides us with an opportunity to strengthen relations among our countries, jointly address common challenges, and promote a vision of the world where faith and reason, tradition and modernity, complement rather than contradict each other”, - said Shalva Papuashvili.

 

In his welcoming remarks, the Head of the Parliamentary Delegation to the Assembly, Irakli Kadagishvili, spoke about the peaceful coexistence of different confessions.

 

“The history of our country has long been known for interreligious tolerance. Even today, in Old Tbilisi, Orthodox Christians, Muslims, members of the Jewish community, as well as believers of the Armenian Gregorian and Catholic Churches, live together peacefully and pray side by side. This heritage clearly demonstrates that Georgia’s spiritual culture has always been based on mutual respect, dialogue, and peaceful coexistence. We take pride in this experience and are ready to share it with the world. I am confident that our meeting in Tbilisi will further strengthen mutual understanding, friendship, and cooperation. The Parliament of Georgia will always be your partner in initiatives that serve the cause of peace, democracy, and the protection of Christian values”, - stated Irakli Kadagishvili.

 

The participants were also addressed by the Secretary General of the Interparliamentary Assembly on Orthodoxy, Maximos Charakopoulos.

 

During the Assembly session, participants reviewed the organization’s recent activities and discussed both implemented and planned initiatives. They also deliberated on the organization of the 33rd General Assembly of the Interparliamentary Assembly on Orthodoxy, which will be held in Helsinki on June 17–21, 2026.

 

The event was attended by representatives from 11 countries: Georgia, Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cyprus, Egypt, Greece, Hungary, Jordan, North Macedonia, Romania, and Serbia.