On December 3 of this year, within the framework of the traditional “Public Lectures” at the Tbilisi Theological Academy and Seminary, a meeting was held with Dr. Khvtiso Mamisimedishvili, Associate Professor at Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University. The topic of the presentation was “The Work of Georgian Clergy in Ingushetia in the First Half of the 19th Century Based on Archival Documentary Materials.”

The speaker warmly greeted the audience and expressed gratitude to the Academy and Seminary for their interest in the topic.

Relying on newly uncovered archival materials, the guest presented to those in attendance various interesting events that took place in the North Caucasus during the period of the Exarchate, specifically the attempt to Christianize Ingushetia.

“The Ingush had almost completely forgotten Christianity, and Christian customs had shifted toward pagan practices. The clergy sent from Georgia on the above-mentioned mission to Ingushetia had to overcome great difficulties. Not infrequently, matters even escalated to physical confrontation. Nevertheless, despite many obstacles, Georgian priests were successfully spreading Christianity in Ingushetia.

The exarchs serving in Georgia were actively involved in the Christianization of Ingushetia. The conversion of the Kists to the Christian faith proceeded in several stages according to a pre-established plan. In May 1823, in the Patriarchal Cathedral of Tbilisi Sioni, nine elder representatives from twelve villages were baptized, which offered hope for the future. However, under the influence of Chechnya and Dagestan, the tendency toward the spread of Islam soon strengthened. The spread of Islam in Ingushetia began actively in the 1840s and became firmly established from 1865 onward.

Ingushetia abounds in traces of Christian culture. There are numerous Christian churches here, on the walls of which Georgian Asomtavruli inscriptions have been preserved,” the speaker noted.

The lecture was attended by the students and instructors and professors of the institution. Ingushetia has always maintained an exceptionally friendly relationship with Georgia. The interaction between the two neighboring peoples remains exemplary to this day. Undoubtedly, this was also a reason for the audience’s keen interest in the topic.

Mr. Khvtiso Mamisimedishvili’s work on this subject, which is entirely based on archival materials, will be published in three volumes in the near future.