Historical memory: July 24 (August 6, new style) 1783 – signing of the Treaty of Georgievsk between Russia and the Georgian kingdom of Kartli-Kakheti (Eastern Georgiatranslated

August 6, 2026 · 1 min read

After the fall of Constantinople and its capture by Turkish troops in 1453, Orthodox Georgia found itself isolated from the Christian world and then effectively divided between Turkey and Iran. To once again become an independent state, it needed the help of a strong neighbor - Russia. The first attempts at rapprochement were made back in the 17th century. In 1771, at the height of the Russian-Turkish war, the Georgian […]

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Κώστας Παπαδόπουλος

Interesting reference to 1771 and the Russo-Turkish war. I did not know that the first moves for rapprochement with Russia began so early, before the Georgiev Treaty. However, after 1453 the situation for the Orthodox in the Balkans and the Caucasus was really difficult.

Роман Фёдоров

It is interesting that already in 1771, during the Russian-Turkish War, Georgians began to seek rapprochement with Russia. And before that, how many centuries did they suffer under the Turks and Persians after 1453? It’s good that in the end the Treaty of Georgievsk was signed, although not everything turned out smoothly afterwards.

Štefan Šimko

Yes, the year 1771 intrigued me too. I did not know that already during the Russo-Turkish war Georgians started looking for help from Russia. It must have been difficult after those centuries under the Turks and Persians, at least it was finally moving somehow.

Mária Horváthová

Yes, that year 1771 was really a breakthrough. At that time, the Georgians already saw that without Russian help they would not be able to get out of the Turkish-Persian pressure. I remember Father Ján telling us about it once after the service, that it was the beginning of a long journey to protection. Do you think it ended up helping them more than they expected?

Δήμητρα Αθανασίου

Yes, Kostas, 1771 was indeed a critical year because of the war. I remember that Heraclius II had then sent envoys to Russia asking for protection, but the treaty came much later. How do you see it, did Russia finally help Eastern Georgia to keep its Orthodoxy or did it bring other problems?

Αναστασία Μιχαηλίδου

Yes, Demetra, Heraclius II did send embassies at that time, but the final treaty of 1783 gave Russia the right to control borders and foreign policy. On the one hand, he protected Orthodoxy from the Persians, but on the other hand, after a few years, complete annexation came in 1801 and the kingdom's autonomy was lost. Do you think that without Russia, East Georgia would have survived as an independent state?

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