The Georgian building with a synagogue, church and mosque under same roof

A building that houses a synagogue, a mosque and a church has opened in the Georgian capital, Tbilisi.

The Peace Project, as it is known, is the brainchild of Metropolitan Bishop Malkhaz Songulashvili after riots against various minorities in Georgia in 2013 spurred him to show how the different faiths can unite against prejudice.

In a three-day event over last weekend to mark the opening, there were services of dedication in the mosque on Friday and the church on Sunday, while I officiated in the synagogue on Shabbat. The packed congregation consisted of members of all three faiths.

Jews told me it was very emotional to see such acceptance and welcome.

Many Muslims said they found it fascinating to witness a Jewish service for the first time, while several Christians said they were moved to tears that the enmity of the past had culminated in such a harmonious rapprochement.

The Syangogue ark

The synagogue ark (Photo: Copyright Unknown)

The service included blowing from a shofar, which was used in ancient times not only for the High Holy Days but also to herald special events, and which was now being used to announce a unique interfaith venture.

As one of the Georgian Jewish community told me afterwards: “My ancestors suffered persecution from both other faiths, and would rejoice at how much has changed.”

The physical proximity of the three places of worship sends a powerful message that Jews, Christians and Muslims can not only talk about harmony but literally live alongside each other.

There is a shared communal area in the form of “The Abrahamic Hall”, which can be used individually or jointly depending on the events being held, whether a kiddush after a Shabbat service or a discussion between the faiths.

The Peace Project is not just a matter of bricks and mortar, but also of all three faiths changing attitudes. This includes Christians renouncing attempts at conversion of both other faiths, while Jews and Muslims must ensure that problems in the Middle East are not imported to Georgia and allowed to cloud local relationships.

“The project is meant to make a contribution to the elimination of prejudice, fear and hatred accumulated in the Abrahamic family, and bring about positive change in their relationships,” said Bishop Songulashvili.

The new synagogue 1

The new synagogue (Photo: Copyright Unknown)