Christianity in the Caucasus in the Early Middle Ages: The Consolidation of Armenian and Georgian Identity and the Apostolic Tradition
Abstract
The article gives the brief overview of the spread of Christianity in the South Caucasus region. Using textual analysis of primary sources and especially secondary literature, the paper aims to acquaint the reader with at least the basic outlines of the course of Christianization of Armenia and Georgia at the turn of the 3rd and 4th centuries and the gradual adoption of Christianity by the local ruling dynasties.
Between 4th and 7th centuries, a very rich literary tradition had developed, written in the Armenian, Georgian, and also in so-called Caucasian-Albanian alphabet; of which Armenian and Georgian still remain the living languages of their churches - Armenian Apostolic and Georgian Orthodox. The oldest recorded legends in old Armenian (Grabar) and old Georgian, telling about the life and deeds of St.
Gregory the Illuminator and St. Nino, show many common features; a deeper analysis of these legends could point to the same original roots, but also to the subsequent different development given the political and cultural background.
In this "founding" period, for which the name Golden Age was used in Armenian culture, most of the topoi known in later centuries were established - the concept of the holy Covenant, the Promised land and its martyrs.