The exhibition “Saint Nino - Enlightener of Georgia” has opened at the Exhibition Pavilion of the National Archives. It is dedicated to the 1700th anniversary of the proclamation of Christianity as the state religion in Georgia in the 4th century.

The event was opened by the Minister of Justice of Georgia, Paata Salia, and the Director General of the National Archives, Teona Iashvili.

The exhibition features photographs taken during National Archives expeditions both in Georgia (Tbilisi, Tsalenjikha, Sefieti, Bochorma, Vardzia, Paravani Lake, Bodbe, Shiomghvime, Gelati, Ujarma, Mtskheta, Satkhe) and abroad (Azerbaijan - Udabno; Turkey - Ani), depicting sites associated with Saint Nino’s activities in Georgia. Also on display are manuscripts preserved at the National Archives related to the conversion of Kartli (Gospels, collections of historical writings), historical documents (charters donated to the Bodbe Monastery in the name of Saint Nino), and photographic materials.

The frescoes documented during the expeditions date from the 11th to the 17th centuries, while the manuscripts and historical documents date from the 16th to the 18th centuries.

The aim of the exhibition is to present to the general public the unique visual heritage and archival documents that reflect the history of the Christianization of Georgia, and to demonstrate the profound significance of this epoch-making event in the spiritual, cultural, and state life of the Georgian nation.

As part of the event, a brochure dedicated to Saint Nino is also presented. In addition, the National Archives is working on a documentary film about Saint Nino, which will be offered to the public later in the year. The same theme will be addressed at the 11th International Scientific Conference of the National Archives, “Archival Science and Source Studies - Trends and Challenges,” where Georgian and international scholars will present the latest academic research on the Christianization of Georgia. The conference, held annually since 2016, promotes new scholarly research, strengthens cooperation between Georgian and foreign researchers, and enhances the National Archives’ scientific collaboration.

The opening of the exhibition was attended by Deputy Ministers of Justice, representatives of the Patriarchate of Georgia, the Chairman of the Government of Abkhazia Giorgi Jincharadze, Minister of Justice of Abkhazia Aliona Chkhotua, as well as representatives of cultural and educational institutions. Hymns were performed at the event by the choir of the Theological Seminary and Academy.