2026 Meeting in Eichstätt (Germany)

On April 23-26, 2026, in Eichstätt, Germany, the next meeting of Georgian students, alumni, and faculty from the theological faculties of various European universities – A symposium was held.
The symposium was dedicated to the 1700th anniversary of the proclamation of Christianity as the state religion in Georgia. The meeting was organized by the aforementioned group of theologians with the support of the Georgian Orthodox Church, the Diocese of Germany and Austria, the Chair of Christian Oriental Theology of the Faculty of Theology at the University of Eichstätt-Ingolstadt, in cooperation with the Collegium Orientale and the STEP Theological Center, which was realized with financial support from the German foundation Renovabis.
First day of the theologians’ meeting (April 24) The first day (April 24) of the theologians’ meeting was dedicated to a scientific conference at the university, where Georgian speakers presented papers in English and German on various historical, social, and theological issues regarding the origins and development of Christianity in Georgia.
Following a welcoming address by Bishop Dositheos Bogveradze of Belgium and the Netherlands, the conference opened with a summary presentation on the life and work of the late Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia II of Georgia.
On the same day, meetings were held with the founders and current rectors of Collegium Orientale on the topic: the theological education of the younger generation and their spiritual formation in an international and interconfessional context. Challenges and Prospects.
In the evening, the participants of the meeting toured the city and continued to share their views and exchange ideas in an informal setting.
The first half of the second day (April 25) was also dedicated to academic presentations. This time, the speakers shared the central aspects of their research projects with their colleagues in Georgian.
Also noteworthy was the presentation held during the same session, which featured video and photo materials documenting the history of the now-traditional meetings of Georgian theologians.
The final part of the session was dedicated to discussing future plans, after which everyone traveled together to the Georgian parish of Ingolstadt, where the guests were hosted by Father Grigol Chjezhia, a licentiate in theology. During the visit to the parish, the meeting participants served a panihida for the repose of the soul of His Holiness and His Eminence Ilia II and met with the parishioners.
The meeting was traditionally attended by Georgian students representing various denominations, which is a welcome development and signifies a further expansion of the dialogue and the opening up of different perspectives. The meeting was also joined by a new member from the field of sociology, who will continue their studies in theology.
On Sunday, April 26, the meeting of Georgian theologians concluded with the Divine Liturgy, in which the participants took part together. The participants of the meeting entrusted the vacant see of the Georgian Orthodox Church to the Most Holy Trinity, asking it to guide the selection of a new primate and the fulfillment of God’s will.
The participants thank all organizations for their support of the 2026 meeting.

Cooperating institutions: