Deprived of its full right to exist under Imperial Russia and persecuted by the Soviet Union, the Orthodox Church of Georgia had to wait for the break-up of the USSR and the creation of an independent Georgia before it could enjoy its freedom once more. However, the Church faced the daunting task of rebuilding its clergy, reconstructing its destroyed monuments and reclaiming its looted holy relics and treasures, as well as redefining its former place within society.

Witness Through Troubled Times is the first in-depth study of the subject to appear in English. Written by prominent church historians from Georgia, new research illuminates the as yet untold story of the struggles and hardship faced not only by the Church but by a whole nation as it suffered a systematic onslaught on its age-old culture and religion.

After the annexation of Georgia by Tsarist Russia in the early 19th century, the Church immediately came under threat. In 1811, Russia removed its independence by placing it under the authority of the Russian Orthodox Church – a major step in the wider plan to russify and absorb the Georgian nation into the empire. Although the 20th century brought further oppression under the Soviet Union, the Georgian Church never ceased its resistance nor stopped hoping that one day it would regain its independence and true identity.

Edited by Tamara Grdzelidze (Faith and Order Secretariat, World Council of Churches, Geneva), Martin George (Institute of Historical Theology, University of Berne), & Rev Lukas Vischer (Association of the Friends of Georgia, Switzerland).

– 272 pages, Illustrated with maps

Published by Bennett & Bloom, 2006