
The Christianization of Iberia, the ancient Georgian kingdom known as Kartli, began in the early 4th century due to the efforts of Saint Nino. King Mirian III of Iberia declared Christianity the state religion, leading to a significant cultural and religious shift away from the traditional polytheistic and anthropomorphic idols known as the "Gods of Kartli." This move marked one of the earliest national adoptions of Christianity, placing Iberia alongside Armenia as one of the first regions to officially embrace the faith.
The conversion had profound social and cultural implications, influencing the kingdom's connections with the broader Christian world, particularly the Holy Land. This was evidenced by increased Georgian presence in Palestine, highlighted by figures such as Peter the Iberian and the discovery of Georgian inscriptions in the Judaean Desert and other historic sites.
Iberia's strategic position between the Roman and Sasanian Empires made it a significant player in their proxy wars, affecting its diplomatic and cultural maneuvers. Despite adopting a religion associated with the Roman Empire, Iberia maintained strong cultural ties to the Iranian world, reflective of its longstanding connections through trade, warfare, and intermarriage since the Achaemenid period.
The Christianization process was not merely a religious conversion but also a multi-century transformation that contributed to the emergence of a distinct Georgian identity. This transition saw the gradual Georgianization of key figures, including the monarchy, and the replacement of foreign church leaders with native Georgians by the mid-6th century. However, Greeks, Iranians, Armenians, and Syrians continued to influence the administration and development of the Georgian church well into this period.