The Ancient Christianity That is Alive and Well in Georgia

Georgia's ancient faith is still alive — and it demands more than just going through the motions.Professor Levan Gigineishvili joins John to discuss the importance of continuous personal growth as an Orthodox Christian, the ultimate answer to avoiding complacency and transforming our lives in Christ. A medievalist, philosopher, and one of Georgia's most respected public intellectuals — walks us through 1,600 years of Christianity that refuses to die.This conversation goes deep, we cover:✧ Why Ilia Chavchavadze (philosopher, national hero, and saint) believed good ritual isn't good enough✧ The Golden Age of Georgia: Rustavelli, Neoplatonism, and the "Second Athens"✧ How Georgia kept the faith when empires — Byzantine, Persian, Ottoman, Russian, Soviet — tried to erase it✧ Why Sola Scriptura and the Reformation never took root in the Caucasus✧ Levan's own journey from Soviet atheism to Orthodox Christianity✧ The Georgian Supra: why Americans are falling in love with this ancient feast tradition✧ And one unforgettable story about a panic attack, a monastery, and a phone call🕯️ "Be perfect, as your Heavenly Father is perfect." — That's the Christianity Georgia has been living for centuries. It might be the Christianity we've forgotten.00:00 - Introduction: Professor Levan Gigineishvili02:30 - Ilia Chavchavadze: Saint, Philosopher & National Hero11:45 - Why the Church Canonized a Modern Thinker15:08 - Georgia's Golden Age: Rustavelli & the Second Athens20:00 - The Reformation That Bypassed Georgia22:00 - Soviet Atheism to Orthodox Faith: Levan's Journey30:00 - Field Report: Sarah in Mozambique32:00 - Georgia Between Iran & Russia: Choosing the Lesser Evil38:00 - A Panic Attack, a Monastery & Georgian Hospitality42:00 - Why Americans Love Supra (The Georgian Feast)44:00 - Be Perfect: Christianity as Continuous Growth__Levan Gigineishvili is a PhD graduate of the Central European University, Budapest. He also graduated Catholic University of Leuven (Philosophy), Harvard University (Education) and Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University (Classics). His PhD dissertation “The Platonic Theology of Ioane Petritsi” later published as a book (Gorgias Press, 2007) is the first English monograph written on this 12th century philosopher. Presently Levan Gigineishvili works at the Institute of Classics, Byzantine and Modern Greek Studies of the Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University, giving courses on Byzantine literature and Medieval Philosophy. He is an author of numerous articles on Ioane Petritsi and medieval Christian Platonism in the Eastern Christendom.__🏷️ Sponsored by Conrad's Beef Jerky — loyalty not guaranteed.Conrad's Deli - The best jerky you'll ever have ➜ https://conradsdeli.com/ ⭐ Use promo code "FIRST THINGS" for 10% off.🔥 Support First Things Foundation field workers like Sarah (featured in this episode): https://first-things.org✈ Become a Field Worker with FTF: https://first-things.org/opportunities📢 First Things Telegram: https://t.me/firstthingsfoundation🍷The best dinner party you've ever experienced - Supra Dinner Society: https://supradinner.com/🥂 Keipi Restaurant: https://keipirestaurant.org✒ Substack: https://johnheersftf.substack.com/ⓧ https://x.com/johnfromftf🏖️ Tailormade tours that give back: https://www.gratitude-travels.com/hom__Credits Music: Intro / Outro Provided by Greg Gilbertson & Band This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit johnheersftf.substack.com/subscribe