Georgian in Türkiye (Turkey)

Introduction / History

The Georgians trace their ancestry back to Japheth, son of Noah. Lovers of wine, spicy food and song, Georgians are known for their openhanded hospitality. They are fiercely proud of their land and cultural heritage.

A theme of tragedy has followed the Georgians for over 2000 years. Successive waves of invading conquerors, including Greeks under Alexander the Great, Rome, Persia, and Byzantium, all conquered Georgia, hammering the nation. Around the year 330 AD, Christianity came to Georgia, confirmed to the Georgian royal family with signs and wonders. From the eleventh to the thirteenth centuries, Georgia threw off Islamic rule and experienced a Golden Age of peace and prosperity.

Genghis Khan's Mongol hoard brought an end to the Golden Age. During the sixteenth century the Turks advanced into Georgia, followed by the Persians. In the late 1700s Georgians looked to Russia for protection from surrounding Islamic states. Russia annexed Georgia into her empire in 1801. Georgia looked for an opportunity to end Russian influence and declared independence following the Bolshevik Revolution. Though Georgian patriots fought fiercely, they were overcome and were forced to join the USSR in 1921. Georgians never lost their passionate desire to regain their freedom and declared their country's independence in 1991. From then on Georgia has been a free and independent country, but they have faced many challenges. Because Soviet communism weakened their economy, the Georgians have to find work in other countries such as Turkey.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Georgians in Turkey have excelled as athletes. There are many domestic servants and common laborers among them. One might find Georgians in Turkey working in construction, a factory or a tea plantation. Almost all of them plan to return to Georgia rather than seek Turkish citizenship.

Because Georgia has been on the crossroad of a major trade route for hundreds of years, their cuisine is influenced by many other ethnic groups. They display their culinary skills during a feast called supra. Aged wine is an important part of these feasts. The toastmaster holds a high position of honor at supra feasts.

What Are Their Beliefs?

The gospel was first preached in Georgia in the 1st century. Christianity became the state religion in in 337. The Georgian church eventually became one of the Eastern Orthodox churches. Zoroastrianism, a monotheistic Persian religion, was their secondary religion for hundreds of years. Their deep-rooted Christian church has caused them to face persecution by conquering Muslim forces.

The Georgians still have a national Orthodox Church with its own patriarch. Some Georgian Christians are committed to the Lord, but most use the church as a cultural social club.

What Are Their Needs?

Pray for a Holy Spirit sent revival to Georgians all over the world.

Pray the work of the JESUS Film among Georgians will lead many to attend church and get discipled in the ways of Christ.

Pray for spiritual hunger and a thirst for righteousness among Georgians everywhere.

Text Source:   Joshua Project