Patriarch of Georgia led memorial service for 100,000 Martyrs of Tbilisi

The Georgian Orthodox Church commemorated the 100,000 Martyrs of Tbilisi on Friday, November 13, 2026, honoring the Christians who were killed during the Khwarazmian invasion of Georgia in the 13th century.

Catholicos-Patriarch Shio III of All Georgia, Archbishop of Mtskheta-Tbilisi and Metropolitan of Bichvinta and Tskhum-Abkhazia, presided over a memorial prayer service at Metekhi Bridge in Tbilisi, the site traditionally associated with the martyrdom.

The Patriarch was joined by Metropolitan Theodore of Akhaltsikhe and Tao-Klarjeti, Chorbishop of the Catholicos-Patriarch; Metropolitan Andria of Gori and Ateni; Bishop Melchizedek of Margveti and Ubisa; Bishop Grigol of Tsalka; Bishop Vakhtang of Nikortsminda; and other members of the clergy.

Following the service, Patriarch Shio addressed those gathered, delivering a sermon on the spiritual and historical significance of the commemoration.

The annual observance honors the memory of the 100,000 Christians who, according to Georgian Orthodox tradition, were martyred in Tbilisi in 1227 after refusing to renounce their faith during the invasion led by Jalal ad-Din.

The commemoration remains an important occasion in the…