N.N. Durnovo and the Question of Georgian Church Autocephaly

One of the most challenging and complex periods in the history of the Georgian Apostolic Orthodox Church was the era of the Exarchate (1811–1917). Historians of the Georgian Church have evaluated this period with appropriate severity, but it becomes especially notable when this difficult and controversial era is assessed by a Russian scholar—historian and philologist N.N. Durnovo.

In Georgia, Durnovo is primarily known for his work The Fate of the Georgian Church. However, little else is commonly known about his life or views. This article aims to revisit N.N. Durnovo’s personality and his stance on Georgian Church autocephaly, based on previously unexplored archival materials housed in the National Archives of Georgia. These documents reveal that Durnovo’s interest in the Georgian Church persisted even after the restoration of its autocephaly. Moreover, the issue of Georgia’s broader national independence appeared to hold deep significance for him as well.