Caucasus University hosted a public lecture by Professor Tengiz Verulava titled “The Monastery as the Origin of the Modern Clinic: The Social Ideals of Christianity.”

The event was dedicated to the 1,700th anniversary of the proclamation of Christianity as the state religion in Georgia.

A historical retrospective demonstrates that, in Georgia, the Church served not only as a spiritual center but also as a major institution for social and medical care. The idea of universal access to healthcare was first established 17 centuries ago in monastic infirmaries, where treatment was free of charge, open to all, and founded on the principle of social solidarity.

The lecture examined the fundamental role of the Church in the formation of the first medical institutions and in the development of a model of social responsibility that later became a prototype for modern healthcare systems.

Professor Verulava emphasized an important paradigmatic shift: unlike in the ancient world, where medical assistance was often exclusive and fee-based, Christianity introduced the principle of democratizing healthcare. Treatment became accessible to everyone, regardless of social status, nationality, or religious affiliation.

The lecture was held in an interactive format, enabling the audience to engage in discussion and receive comprehensive answers to their questions.