Memorial at grave of St. Matthew, who is buried near Batumi.

Christianity came to Adjara in the first century after Christ, as substantiated by archeological discoveries at temple ruins in the village of Didajara. The Georgian nation became the second country to adopt Christianity, after Armenia, but not until the early 4th Century. The Christian apostle St. Matthew died in Adjara and he is buried in a cemetery near Batumi in the area of the ancient fortress Gonio-Apsaros.

Christianity was spread in Adjara, according to Greek historical sources, by the apostles St.Andria and St.Simon from Canaan.

Adjara is a multi-national society comprised of people with a variety of national origins. Among the nationalities present are Georgians, Russians, Armenians, Greeks, Azeri, Abkhazians, Assyrians and numerous others.

Many religious faiths are represented, including the majority, Orthodox Christianity, but also Islam, Catholic, Armenian-gregorian and Judaism, as well as the Christian Union of Gospel and communities of Evangelist-Christian Baptists. Followers of all religions enjoy guarantees of freedom, as do non-believers.

In recent years nearly 30 orthodox Churches were constructed in Adjara. Numerous religious buildings have been turned back to believers, having been used for different purposes during the Soviet period.

Adjara also has numerous religious gymnasiums, seminaries, colleges and other institutions, as well as kindergardens and Sunday schools.