April 9: Independence Restoration Day in Georgia
Prayer Idea
Pray for the people and government of the country of Georgia.
History Note
The modern country of Georgia has been inhabited since ancient times. It is located in the Caucasus region between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea. In the Georgian language, the country is called “Sakartvelo” (land of the Kartvelians).
Christianity came to the region about 330 AD. Queen Tamar, who reigned from 1184 to 1213, is honored as a major figure in Georgian history.
Over the centuries, people in the Caucasus region faced conflict with Mongols, Turks, Persians, and Russians. Georgia briefly gained independence after World War I, but it was soon absorbed into the Soviet Union.
On April 9, 1989, Soviet authorities violently suppressed a peaceful demonstration in the capital of Tbilisi. Georgia declared its independence again two years later on April 9, 1991. This date is observed as Independence Restoration Day.
The country has a population of almost 5 million. A large majority are ethnic Georgians who are members of the Georgian Orthodox Church and speak the Georgian language. This language uses a distinct alphabet developed after the arrival of Christianity.
The Chronicle of Georgia, designed by sculptor Zurab Tsereteli, is a monument in Tbilisi, Georgia, that honors people and events in Georgian history, including St. Nino, the woman credited with bringing the gospel to the Georgian people. Photo by Mohammad Bash / Shutterstock.com.
Learn More
Georgia adopted a new national anthem in 2004 titled "Tavisupleba" (‘Liberty’). Ioseb Kechakmadze (1939-2013) adapted music by Georgian composer Zacharia Paliashvili (1871-1933). David Magradze (b. 1962) wrote the lyrics.
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