Catholic Church in Arali: Georgian Catholic Heritage in Samtskhe-Javakheti

Arali is a small village in southern Georgia with a surprisingly rich religious history. Located in Adigeni Municipality, Samtskhe-Javakheti, the village is known for its long-established Georgian Catholic community and its historic St. Joseph Catholic Church.

For travellers interested in Georgia beyond its famous Orthodox monasteries, Arali offers a different perspective on the country’s Christian heritage. Its 19th-century Catholic church, an older medieval religious site, and the story of local worship during the Soviet period reveal the remarkable religious diversity of southern Georgia.

Arali at a Glance

St. Joseph Catholic Church in Arali

The main Catholic church in Arali is dedicated to St. Joseph. It was built in 1860 to serve the village’s Catholic population and remains one of the most important reminders of the Catholic tradition in this part of Georgia.

The church is built mainly of local stone and has a simple, elongated form. Its architecture is restrained compared with Georgia’s grand medieval cathedrals, but this simplicity is part of its appeal.

A tall bell tower gives the complex its most recognizable feature. Open arches create a lighter vertical element beside the solid stone walls of the church.

St. Joseph’s was designed as a parish church rather than as a royal or monastic monument. Its significance therefore comes largely from its connection with the local community and the continuity of Catholic life in Arali.

Catholicism in Samtskhe-Javakheti

Arali is not an isolated Catholic settlement. The wider historical region of Meskheti, which includes much of modern Samtskhe-Javakheti, has been one of the main centres of Catholic life in Georgia for centuries.

Catholic communities have historically lived in villages such as Arali, Ude, Vale and Khizabavra, as well as in and around Akhaltsikhe.

This makes southern Georgia particularly interesting for travellers who want to understand the country’s religious diversity. Orthodox, Catholic, Armenian Christian and Islamic heritage can all be found within a relatively small geographical area.

Arali During the Soviet Period

The 20th century brought major changes to religious life in Georgia. Under Soviet rule, churches of different denominations were closed, confiscated or converted to secular use.

St. Joseph’s Church in Arali was reportedly used as a warehouse during the Soviet period, preventing the community from using its main church for regular worship.

Religious life nevertheless continued in less formal ways. Local Catholics preserved their traditions until restrictions began to ease near the end of the Soviet era.

The Catholic church in Arali returned to active religious use around 1989.

The Old Church of Arali

Arali also has an older religious site on the outskirts of the village. It is often associated with an early medieval church sometimes known locally as Irmis Eklesia, or the “Deer Church.”

The surviving church is generally dated to around the 6th or 7th century, although its exact origins are not entirely clear.

An early medieval stone stele is also preserved at the site. Together, the church and stele demonstrate that Arali’s Christian history reaches back many centuries before the construction of the present Catholic church.

A Place of Worship During Religious Repression

The old church gained renewed significance during the Soviet period.

After the village’s main Catholic church was closed, local believers reportedly repaired the roof of the older chapel and used it as a place of prayer.

This modest building therefore became much more than an archaeological monument. For local Catholics, it helped preserve religious continuity during decades when public worship was restricted.

Why Arali Is Important

Arali is interesting because several periods of Georgian religious history can be seen within one village.

• An early medieval church preserves traces of ancient Christian heritage.
• The 19th-century St. Joseph Church reflects the established Georgian Catholic community of Meskheti.
• The Soviet-era story of the village shows how religious traditions survived despite official restrictions.
• The active parish represents the continuation of Catholic life in modern Georgia.

Together, these elements make Arali an important stop for anyone interested in the multicultural and multi-confessional history of Samtskhe-Javakheti.

How to Get to Arali

Arali is located in Adigeni Municipality, west of Akhaltsikhe in southern Georgia.

The village is roughly 17–20 kilometres from Akhaltsikhe, making it easy to include in a road trip through western Samtskhe-Javakheti.

From Tbilisi, travellers normally reach the region via Borjomi and Akhaltsikhe. A private car or organised transfer is the most convenient option if you want to visit several churches and historical sites in the same day.

What to See Near Arali

Arali can easily be combined with several other interesting destinations in southern Georgia.

• Ude – another village with important Catholic and Christian heritage.
• Akhaltsikhe – the regional centre and home of the restored Rabati Castle complex.
• Adigeni – gateway to mountain landscapes and lesser-known historical monuments.
• Abastumani – a mountain resort known for its observatory, forests and 19th-century architecture.
• Vale – another settlement associated with the Catholic heritage of the region.

A route linking these places provides a broader understanding of Samtskhe-Javakheti than a trip focused only on the region’s most famous monasteries.

Visiting St. Joseph’s Church

St. Joseph’s is a functioning Catholic church, so visitors should remember that it is first and foremost a place of worship.

• Dress respectfully when entering the church.
• Keep noise to a minimum, especially during services.
• Ask permission before photographing people or religious ceremonies.
• Do not expect regular museum-style opening hours.

Spring, summer and early autumn are generally the easiest seasons for exploring this part of Georgia. Winters in Samtskhe-Javakheti can be cold and snowy.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Catholic church in Arali called?

The main Catholic church in Arali is the Church of St. Joseph. It was built in 1860.

Is Arali a Catholic village?

Arali has a long-established Georgian Catholic community and is one of several villages in the Samtskhe-Javakheti region associated with Georgia’s Catholic heritage.

Is the Catholic church in Arali still active?

Yes. St. Joseph’s Church functions as a Catholic place of worship.

How old is the old church in Arali?

The older church near Arali is generally associated with the 6th–7th centuries. An early medieval stone stele is also preserved at the site.

What else can I visit near Arali?

Nearby attractions include Ude, Akhaltsikhe, Adigeni, Abastumani and other historic villages of Samtskhe-Javakheti.

Final Thoughts

Arali is not one of Georgia’s major tourist destinations, and that is part of its appeal.

The village offers something quieter and more unusual: a glimpse into the Catholic history of Georgian Meskheti, where religious traditions survived political upheaval, Soviet repression and major social change.

St. Joseph’s Church, the early medieval chapel and the continuing Catholic community together tell a story that spans more than a thousand years.

For travellers exploring the lesser-known cultural heritage of southern Georgia, Arali is a small but meaningful stop on the road through Samtskhe-Javakheti.