Diocese of Batumi and Skhalta
The Diocese of Batumi and Skhalta (eparchy) is a diocese of the Church of Georgia. Diocese is situated at the territory of Autonomous Republic of Adjaria and includes districts of Batumi, Kobuleti, Shuakhevi, Khulo and Keda. The primate of the diocese is His Eminence Dimitri, Archbishop of Batumi and Skhalta.
History
This eparchy includes ancient Georgian region – Adjaria.
According to Georgian chronicles St Andrew First-called entered Georgia through Adjaria. First churches were erected in villages near Black Sea. Adjaria had its hierarch even in the fourth century at the reign of King Mirdat III. Later, at the reign of St King Vakhtang Gorgasali (remembered November 30), the diocese of Skhalta (ie Adjaria) was united into diocese of Akhizi.
In seveteenth century the Ottoman Empire invaded Adjaria and cut it off from Georgia. During 300 years Adjaria was under Islamic rule. Many Georgians were martyred by Turks (the Church comemorates them at Pentecost Day with name “Georgian priests and laymen, martyred by Turks