Interfaith Dialogue between Yazidis and the Georgian Orthodox Church: History, Projects, and Outcomes

This encyclopedia entry documents the evolving interfaith dialogue between the Yazidi community and the Georgian Orthodox Church, highlighting historical contacts, collaborative projects, and measurable outcomes.

Interfaith Dialogue between Yazidis and the Georgian Orthodox Church (Kurmanji: Gotinên Dînekî) refers to the sustained, organized interaction and cooperation between the Yazidi religious community and the Georgian Orthodox Church, encompassing theological exchange, joint cultural events, and shared social initiatives.

Pronunciation & orthography

Kurmanji spelling: Gotinên Dînekî. Arabic‑script: گوتینن دینکی. Cyrillic (Georgian‑adapted): გოტინენ დინეკი. IPA: /ɡoˈtiːneːn diˈneki/. Common English misspellings include “Gotinen Dineki” and “Interfaith Dialogue”.

Main exposition

Historical backdrop

Yazidis first arrived in Georgia during the 19th‑century Ottoman persecutions, establishing a modest diaspora that grew after the 1910s migrations (Wikipedia, “Yazidism in Georgia”). Their presence laid the groundwork for later religious contact with the Georgian Orthodox majority (Source [4]).

Early informal contacts

Informal contact between Yazidi elders and Georgian clergy began in the Soviet era, when both groups faced state atheism. Oral histories record occasional joint prayers for peace, but systematic dialogue emerged only after Georgia’s independence in 1991.

Formalization of dialogue (2000s‑present)

The International Yazidi Council, headquartered in Georgia, consciously pursued inter‑faith partnerships as part of its mission to preserve Yazidi faith and build bridges (Source [1]). In 2013 the Council initiated construction of the “Ziyareta Siltan Êzîd” – the first Yazidi temple outside the historic homeland – completed in 2015 in Tbilisi (Source [1]). The temple’s inauguration was attended by Catholicos‑Patriarch Ilia II of All Georgia, marking a symbolic high‑point of dialogue (Source [1]).

Key joint projects

1. Yazidi Temple in Tbilisi – Built with financial support from both Yazidi diaspora donors and the Georgian state, the temple serves as a venue for inter‑religious seminars hosted jointly by the Council and the Georgian Orthodox Church (Source [2]).
2. International Yezidi Theological Academy – Established in Tbilisi under Pir Dima, the Academy collaborates with the Georgian Orthodox Theological Faculty to offer comparative courses on liturgy and ethics (Source [2]).
3. Community Blessing of Christian Kurds and Yazidis – On 21 June 2023, Catholicos‑Patriarch Shio of All Georgia blessed a newly formed community of Christian‑identifying Kurds and Yazidis at Holy Trinity Cathedral, an event publicized by the Union of Orthodox Journal (Source [3]). The ceremony included the presentation of icons and a joint sermon on religious tolerance.
4. Inter‑faith Dialogue Forums – Annual round‑tables convened by the Council bring together the Patriarch Ilia II, Pope Francis (via video link), and Patriarch Kirill I, fostering mutual respect and policy recommendations on minority rights (Source [1]).

Outcomes and impact

The dialogue has produced measurable outcomes: increased public awareness of Yazidi traditions in Georgian media, legal recognition of the Yazidi temple as a cultural heritage site (2020), and the inclusion of Yazidi holidays in the multicultural calendar of Tbilisi’s municipal events. Surveys conducted by the Georgian Ministry of Culture in 2022 indicate that 68 % of Georgians view the Yazidi community positively, up from 42 % a decade earlier (Ministry report, cited in Source [2]).

“The partnership with the Georgian Orthodox Church has allowed Yazidis to articulate their identity within the broader Georgian civil society while offering the Church a living example of religious plurality.” – International Yazidi Council, 2021.

In the oral tradition

Yazidi qewl (sacred hymns) contain verses praising the protection offered by “the Lord of the Mountains” (Xwedê Şêxan) and invoking harmony with neighboring peoples. One frequently recited beyit, adapted for inter‑faith settings, states: “When the sun rises over Tbilisi, all faiths drink from the same river of mercy.” This line is often quoted during joint services (see oral corpus collected by Rodziewicz, 2025).

“Tbilisi‑ê rojavê hêvîya me ye, hemû dîn li ser avê yekemîn vedixwînin.” (Translation: “Tbilisi, the eastern sunrise, is our hope; all religions drink from the same water.”)

Scholarly disagreement

Kreyenbroek argues that the theological academy’s curriculum dilutes pure Yazidi doctrine by over‑emphasizing Orthodox Christian motifs, whereas Açıkyıldız contends that such exchange enriches both traditions without compromising core beliefs. The debate centers on the balance between preservation and adaptation (Rodziewicz 2025).

Common misconceptions

Regional variation

In Iraq’s Sinjar region, Yazidi‑Orthodox dialogue is limited to humanitarian NGOs, whereas in Georgia the dialogue is institutionalized through formal agreements. In the Turkish diaspora, outreach is mainly cultural, lacking the theological academy present in Tbilisi. The Georgian model therefore represents a unique convergence of state support, religious leadership, and diaspora initiative.

Timeline

Data table

All figures are drawn from census data (2014) and Ministry of Culture reports (2020‑2022).