Saint Mary’s Cathedral is located in the historic center of Poti. In particular : В in today’s Central Park. This location of the building was chosen because of the rays perceived from the street.

Poti is a city, which was built according to a plan. 12 squares were joining the central street (twelve Apostles sign) and the ray sign was created. The most important event in the history of Poti was the building of Guria-Samegrelo eparchy’s cathedral in 1906-1907 years, In which’s construction, great contribution belongs to Niko Nikoladze.

The project was created by A. Zelenko. The project is the reduced analog of Constantinople’s Hagia Sofia. Later, after that, R. Marpeld made some corrections in project, the project was approved. The church was entertained to hold 2000 prayers. The construction of the church was tasked to “Black Sea Building Society”. The construction began in 6 July, 1906 and finished in September, 1907. It lasted for 1 year and 3 months. It was opened on 14 September “Jvartamagleba” holiday. The church’s foundation was blessed, by Guria-Samegrelo bishop, Giorgi.

On 22 May, 1907 the cross was erected on the dome of the church. Soviet government, turned the cathedral into theatre. In 2005, by the prayer-blessing of Catholicos-Patriarch of Georgia, the cathedral returned to the Poti patriarchate ownage.

Saint Mary’s Cathedral is located in the historic center of Photi. In particular : В in today’s Central Park. This location of the building was chosen because of the rays perceived from the street.

Photi is a city, which was built according to a plan. 12 squares were joining the central street (twelve Apostles sign) and the ray sign was created. The most important event in the history of Photi was the building of Guria– Samegrelo eparchy’s cathedral in 1906-1907 years, In which’s construction, great contribution belongs to Niko Nikoladze.

The project was created by A.Zelenko. The project is the reduced analog of Constantinople’s Hagia Sofia. Later, after that, R. Marpeld made some corrections in project, the project was approved. The church was entertained to hold 2000 prayers. The construction of the church was tasked to “Black Sea Building Society”. The construction began in 6 July, 1906 and finished in September, 1907. It lasted for 1 year and 3 months. It was opened on 14 September “Jvartamagleba” holiday. The church’s foundation was blessed, by Guria-Samegrelo bishop, Giorgi.

On 22 May, 1907 the cross was erected on the dome of the church. Soviet government, turned the cathedral into theatre. In 2005, by the prayer-blessing of Catholicos-Patriarch of Georgia, the cathedral returned to the Photi patriarchate ownage.

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Svetitskhoveli Cathedral (Georgian: სვეტიცხოვლის საკათედრო ტაძარი, svet'icxovlis sak'atedro t'adzari; literally, "the Living Pillar Cathedral") is a Georgian Orthodox cathedral located in the historical town of Mtskheta, Georgia, 20 km northwest of the nation's capital of Tbilisi.

Svetitskhoveli, known as the burial site of Christ's mantle, has long been the principal Georgian church and remains one of the most venerated places of worship to this day. It presently functions as the seat of the archbishop of Mtskheta and Tbilisi, who is at the same time Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia.

The current cathedral was built in the 11th century by the Georgian architect Arsukisdze, though the site itself is even older dating back to the early 4th century and is surrounded by a number of legends associated primarily with the early Christian traditions.

It is the second largest church building in the country, after the recently consecrated Tbilisi Holy Trinity Cathedral, and is listed as an UNESCO World Heritage Site along with other historical monuments of Mtskheta.

Submitted: 22/10/2016

Accepted: 18/11/2016

Wiki:

Saint Hripsime Church is a seventh century Armenian Apostolic church in the city of Vagharshapat (Etchmiadzin), Armenia. It is one of the oldest surviving churches in the country. The church was erected by Catholicos Komitas to replace the original mausoleum built by Catholicos Sahak the Great in 395 AD that contained the remains of the martyred Saint Hripsime to whom the church is dedicated. The current structure was completed in 618 AD. It is known for its fine Armenian-style architecture of the classical period, which has influenced many other Armenian churches since. It was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site along with other nearby churches, including Etchmiadzin Cathedral, Armenia's mother church, in 2000.

Saint Mary’s Cathedral is located in the historic center of Photi. In particular : В in today’s Central Park. This location of the building was chosen because of the rays perceived from the street.

Photi is a city, which was built according to a plan. 12 squares were joining the central street (twelve Apostles sign) and the ray sign was created. The most important event in the history of Photi was the building of Guria–Samegrelo eparchy’s cathedral in 1906-1907 years, In which’s construction, great contribution belongs to Niko Nikoladze.

The project was created by A.Zelenko. The project is the reduced analog of Constantinople’s Hagia Sofia. Later, after that, R. Marpeld made some corrections in project, the project was approved. The church was entertained to hold 2000 prayers. The construction of the church was tasked to “Black Sea Building Society”. The construction began in 6 July, 1906 and finished in September, 1907. It lasted for 1 year and 3 months. It was opened on 14 September “Jvartamagleba” holiday. The church’s foundation was blessed, by Guria-Samegrelo bishop, Giorgi.

On 22 May, 1907 the cross was erected on the dome of the church. Soviet government, turned the cathedral into theatre. In 2005, by the prayer-blessing of Catholicos-Patriarch of Georgia, the cathedral returned to the Photi patriarchate ownage.

According to the old Georgian annals, the church was built by the King Dachi of Iberia (circa 522-534) who had made Tbilisi his capital. Originally dedicated to the Virgin Mary, it was renamed Anchiskhati (i.e., icon of Ancha) in 1675 when the treasured icon of the Savior created by the twelfth-century goldsmith Beka Opizari at the Ancha monastery in Klarjeti (in what is now part of northeast Turkey) was moved to Tbilisi so preserve it from an Ottoman invasion. The icon was preserved at the Basilica of St Mary for centuries (it is now on display at the Art Museum of Georgia).

The basilica was damaged and rebuilt on several occasions from the 15th through 17th centuries due to wars between Georgia and the Persians and Turks. The brick belfry near the Anchiskhati Basilica was built by Catholicos Domenti in 1675.

The look of the structure was drastically changed in the 1870s, when a dome was added. During the Soviet period, all religious ceremonies at Anchiskhati Basilica were halted, and the building transformed into a museum for handicrafts. It was later used as an art studio. From 1958 to 1964 restoration works took place in celebration of the 1500th Jubilee of the founding of Tbilisi, which changed the view of the church back to the seventeenth-century version, however, it was not until 1991, after the independence of Georgia was restored, that the basilica reverted to religious use.

The Anchiskhati Choir based out of the Anchiskhati Basilica is the world's leading exponent of Georgian polyphonic choral music.

Anchiskhati Basilica is a three-span basilica, divided by two abutments forming horseshoe shaped conches, which indicates the antiquity of its construction. Originally constructed of blocks of yellow tuff stone, the 1958-1964 restoration made extensive use of brick. The structure has entrances on three sides, but today only the western entrance is in use. Aside from the altarpiece, which was painted in 1683 by order of Catholicos Nikoloz Amilakhvari, all of the remaining paintings in the church date from the 19th century.

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Svetitskhoveli Cathedral (Georgian: სვეტიცხოვლის საკათედრო ტაძარი, svet'icxovlis sak'atedro t'adzari; literally, "the Living Pillar Cathedral") is a Georgian Orthodox cathedral located in the historical town of Mtskheta, Georgia, 20 km northwest of the nation's capital of Tbilisi.

Svetitskhoveli, known as the burial site of Christ's mantle, has long been the principal Georgian church and remains one of the most venerated places of worship to this day. It presently functions as the seat of the archbishop of Mtskheta and Tbilisi, who is at the same time Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia.

The current cathedral was built in the 11th century by the Georgian architect Arsukisdze, though the site itself is even older dating back to the early 4th century and is surrounded by a number of legends associated primarily with the early Christian traditions.

It is the second largest church building in the country, after the recently consecrated Tbilisi Holy Trinity Cathedral, and is listed as an UNESCO World Heritage Site along with other historical monuments of Mtskheta.

Submitted: 20/11/2015

Accepted: 10/12/2015

Published:

- (China) 18-Dec-2018

According to the old Georgian annals, the church was built by the King Dachi of Iberia (circa 522-534) who had made Tbilisi his capital. Originally dedicated to the Virgin Mary, it was renamed Anchiskhati (i.e., icon of Ancha) in 1675 when the treasured icon of the Savior created by the twelfth-century goldsmith Beka Opizari at the Ancha monastery in Klarjeti (in what is now part of northeast Turkey) was moved to Tbilisi so preserve it from an Ottoman invasion. The icon was preserved at the Basilica of St Mary for centuries (it is now on display at the Art Museum of Georgia).

The basilica was damaged and rebuilt on several occasions from the 15th through 17th centuries due to wars between Georgia and the Persians and Turks. The brick belfry near the Anchiskhati Basilica was built by Catholicos Domenti in 1675.

The look of the structure was drastically changed in the 1870s, when a dome was added. During the Soviet period, all religious ceremonies at Anchiskhati Basilica were halted, and the building transformed into a museum for handicrafts. It was later used as an art studio. From 1958 to 1964 restoration works took place in celebration of the 1500th Jubilee of the founding of Tbilisi, which changed the view of the church back to the seventeenth-century version, however, it was not until 1991, after the independence of Georgia was restored, that the basilica reverted to religious use.

The Anchiskhati Choir based out of the Anchiskhati Basilica is the world's leading exponent of Georgian polyphonic choral music.

Anchiskhati Basilica is a three-span basilica, divided by two abutments forming horseshoe shaped conches, which indicates the antiquity of its construction. Originally constructed of blocks of yellow tuff stone, the 1958-1964 restoration made extensive use of brick. The structure has entrances on three sides, but today only the western entrance is in use. Aside from the altarpiece, which was painted in 1683 by order of Catholicos Nikoloz Amilakhvari, all of the remaining paintings in the church date from the 19th century.

According to the old Georgian annals, the church was built by the King Dachi of Iberia (circa 522-534) who had made Tbilisi his capital. Originally dedicated to the Virgin Mary, it was renamed Anchiskhati (i.e., icon of Ancha) in 1675 when the treasured icon of the Savior created by the twelfth-century goldsmith Beka Opizari at the Ancha monastery in Klarjeti (in what is now part of northeast Turkey) was moved to Tbilisi so preserve it from an Ottoman invasion. The icon was preserved at the Basilica of St Mary for centuries (it is now on display at the Art Museum of Georgia).

The basilica was damaged and rebuilt on several occasions from the 15th through 17th centuries due to wars between Georgia and the Persians and Turks. The brick belfry near the Anchiskhati Basilica was built by Catholicos Domenti in 1675.

The look of the structure was drastically changed in the 1870s, when a dome was added. During the Soviet period, all religious ceremonies at Anchiskhati Basilica were halted, and the building transformed into a museum for handicrafts. It was later used as an art studio. From 1958 to 1964 restoration works took place in celebration of the 1500th Jubilee of the founding of Tbilisi, which changed the view of the church back to the seventeenth-century version, however, it was not until 1991, after the independence of Georgia was restored, that the basilica reverted to religious use.

The Anchiskhati Choir based out of the Anchiskhati Basilica is the world's leading exponent of Georgian polyphonic choral music.

Anchiskhati Basilica is a three-span basilica, divided by two abutments forming horseshoe shaped conches, which indicates the antiquity of its construction. Originally constructed of blocks of yellow tuff stone, the 1958-1964 restoration made extensive use of brick. The structure has entrances on three sides, but today only the western entrance is in use. Aside from the altarpiece, which was painted in 1683 by order of Catholicos Nikoloz Amilakhvari, all of the remaining paintings in the church date from the 19th century.

Armenia : Khor Virap Monastery - small church of St .George -Façade

Italiano : S.Gregorio trascorse quasi 14 anni della sua vita nel pozzo dell'attuale monastero , subendo torture . Nel 642 il Catholicos ( il Patriarca della Chiesa Armena ) fece costruire attorno al pozzo la piccola chiesa di S.Giorgio ,di cui mostriamo la facciata . ( ingrandire )

English :St.Gregory spent nearly 14 years of his life in the well

of the current monastery undergoing torture .In 642 the Catholicos built around the well the small church of st. George of which we show the façade . ( to enlarge )

Saint Mary’s Cathedral is located in the historic center of Photi. In particular : В in today’s Central Park. This location of the building was chosen because of the rays perceived from the street.

Photi is a city, which was built according to a plan. 12 squares were joining the central street (twelve Apostles sign) and the ray sign was created. The most important event in the history of Photi was the building of Guria– Samegrelo eparchy’s cathedral in 1906-1907 years, In which’s construction, great contribution belongs to Niko Nikoladze.

The project was created by A.Zelenko. The project is the reduced analog of Constantinople’s Hagia Sofia. Later, after that, R. Marpeld made some corrections in project, the project was approved. The church was entertained to hold 2000 prayers. The construction of the church was tasked to “Black Sea Building Society”. The construction began in 6 July, 1906 and finished in September, 1907. It lasted for 1 year and 3 months. It was opened on 14 September “Jvartamagleba” holiday. The church’s foundation was blessed, by Guria-Samegrelo bishop, Giorgi.

On 22 May, 1907 the cross was erected on the dome of the church. Soviet government, turned the cathedral into theatre. In 2005, by the prayer-blessing of Catholicos-Patriarch of Georgia, the cathedral returned to the Photi patriarchate ownage.

The Church is Cathedral of Georgian Orthodox Church of the Holy Trinity. It is situated on the hill of St. Elijah in the center of Tbilisi. It is the largest religious building in Georgia.

The construction began in 1995 with the intention to celebrate 2000 years of Christianity. Later the construction was discontinued for economic reasons but in 2000, was resumed.

November 23, 2004, in day of the liturgical memory St. George, Catholicos-patriarch of Georgia Elijah II has made solemn consecration of the Council giving it the call of the Holy Trinity.

-

Sobór Trójcy Świętej jest soborem katedralnym Gruzińskiego Kościoła Prawosławnego. Jest położony na wzgórzu św. Eliasza w centrum Tbilisi. Jest największą budowlą sakralną Gruzji.

Budowę soboru rozpoczęto w 1995 z zamiarem uczczenia 2000-lecia chrześcijaństwa. Później budowę przerwano z powodów ekonomicznych ale w 2000 wznowiono.

23 listopada 2004, w dzień wspomnienia liturgicznego św. Jerzego, Katolikos-Patriarcha Gruzji Eliasz II dokonał uroczystej konsekracji soboru nadając mu wezwanie Świętej Trójcy.

Sobór w Tbilisi jest jedną z największych świątyń prawosławnych na świecie. Ma wysokość 68 m. Wymiary na osi wschód-zachód – 77 m, a na osi północ-południe - 65 m.

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en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Svetitskhoveli

Svetitskhoveli Cathedral (Georgian: სვეტიცხოვლის საკათედრო ტაძარი, svet'icxovlis sak'atedro t'adzari; literally, "the Living Pillar Cathedral") is a Georgian Orthodox cathedral located in the historical town of Mtskheta, Georgia, 20 km northwest of the nation's capital of Tbilisi.

Svetitskhoveli, known as the burial site of Christ's mantle, has long been the principal Georgian church and remains one of the most venerated places of worship to this day. It presently functions as the seat of the archbishop of Mtskheta and Tbilisi, who is at the same time Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia.

The current cathedral was built in the 11th century by the Georgian architect Arsukisdze, though the site itself is even older dating back to the early 4th century and is surrounded by a number of legends associated primarily with the early Christian traditions.

It is the second largest church building in the country, after the recently consecrated Tbilisi Holy Trinity Cathedral, and is listed as an UNESCO World Heritage Site along with other historical monuments of Mtskheta.

Submitted: 27/09/2015

Accepted: 12/10/2015

The Church is Cathedral of Georgian Orthodox Church of the Holy Trinity. It is situated on the hill of St. Elijah in the center of Tbilisi. It is the largest religious building in Georgia.

The construction began in 1995 with the intention to celebrate 2000 years of Christianity. Later the construction was discontinued for economic reasons but in 2000, was resumed.

November 23, 2004, in day of the liturgical memory St. George, Catholicos-patriarch of Georgia Elijah II has made solemn consecration of the Council giving it the call of the Holy Trinity.

-

Sobór Trójcy Świętej jest soborem katedralnym Gruzińskiego Kościoła Prawosławnego. Jest położony na wzgórzu św. Eliasza w centrum Tbilisi. Jest największą budowlą sakralną Gruzji.

Budowę soboru rozpoczęto w 1995 z zamiarem uczczenia 2000-lecia chrześcijaństwa. Później budowę przerwano z powodów ekonomicznych ale w 2000 wznowiono.

23 listopada 2004, w dzień wspomnienia liturgicznego św. Jerzego, Katolikos-Patriarcha Gruzji Eliasz II dokonał uroczystej konsekracji soboru nadając mu wezwanie Świętej Trójcy.

Sobór w Tbilisi jest jedną z największych świątyń prawosławnych na świecie. Ma wysokość 68 m. Wymiary na osi wschód-zachód – 77 m, a na osi północ-południe - 65 m.

Tbilisi Sioni Cathedral of the Dormition (Georgian: სიონის ღვთისმშობლის მიძინების ტაძარი) is a Georgian Orthodox cathedral in Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia. Following a medieval Georgian tradition of naming churches after particular places in the Holy Land, the Sioni Cathedral bears the name of Mount Zion at Jerusalem. It is commonly known as the "Tbilisi Sioni" to distinguish it from several other churches across Georgia bearing the name Sioni.

The Tbilisi Sioni Cathedral is situated in historic Sionis Kucha (Sioni Street) in downtown Tbilisi, with its eastern façade fronting the right embankment of the Kura River. It was initially built in the 6th and 7th centuries. Since then, it has been destroyed by foreign invaders and reconstructed several times. The current church is based on a 13th-century version with some changes from the 17th to 19th centuries. The Sioni Cathedral was the main Georgian Orthodox Cathedral and the seat of Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia until the Holy Trinity Cathedral was consecrated in 2004.

According to the old Georgian annals, the church was built by the King Dachi of Iberia (circa 522-534) who had made Tbilisi his capital. Originally dedicated to the Virgin Mary, it was renamed Anchiskhati (i.e., icon of Ancha) in 1675 when the treasured icon of the Savior created by the twelfth-century goldsmith Beka Opizari at the Ancha monastery in Klarjeti (in what is now part of northeast Turkey) was moved to Tbilisi so preserve it from an Ottoman invasion. The icon was preserved at the Basilica of St Mary for centuries (it is now on display at the Art Museum of Georgia).

The basilica was damaged and rebuilt on several occasions from the 15th through 17th centuries due to wars between Georgia and the Persians and Turks. The brick belfry near the Anchiskhati Basilica was built by Catholicos Domenti in 1675.

The look of the structure was drastically changed in the 1870s, when a dome was added. During the Soviet period, all religious ceremonies at Anchiskhati Basilica were halted, and the building transformed into a museum for handicrafts. It was later used as an art studio. From 1958 to 1964 restoration works took place in celebration of the 1500th Jubilee of the founding of Tbilisi, which changed the view of the church back to the seventeenth-century version, however, it was not until 1991, after the independence of Georgia was restored, that the basilica reverted to religious use.

The Anchiskhati Choir based out of the Anchiskhati Basilica is the world's leading exponent of Georgian polyphonic choral music.

Anchiskhati Basilica is a three-span basilica, divided by two abutments forming horseshoe shaped conches, which indicates the antiquity of its construction. Originally constructed of blocks of yellow tuff stone, the 1958-1964 restoration made extensive use of brick. The structure has entrances on three sides, but today only the western entrance is in use. Aside from the altarpiece, which was painted in 1683 by order of Catholicos Nikoloz Amilakhvari, all of the remaining paintings in the church date from the 19th century.

Samtavro Monastery (Georgian: სამთავროს მონასტერი) is a Georgian Orthodox Christian monastery complex that combines Samtavro Transfiguration Church and Nunnery of St. Nino in Mtskheta, Georgia. Built presumably in the 4th century by the King Mirian III, and reconstructed in the 11th century by the King George I and Catholicos-Patriarch Melchizedek I, Samtavro is an important Early and High Medieval historical and architectural monument, and was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1994 along other historical monuments in Mtskheta. Samtavro church is cross-in-square temple, with arches and other decorations typical for the 11th century Georgian architecture. The graves of Mirian III and the famous Georgian Saint monk Gabriel are located in the yard of Samtavro Church.

The Skhalta Cathedral is a Georgian Orthodox monastery and cathedral church in Adjara, Georgia, dating from the mid-13th century. It is a large hall church design, with fragments of the 14th or 15th century Paleologian-style wall painting.

Skhalta is the only medieval church in Adjara that survived both the Ottoman and Soviet periods to become functional again in 1990. It currently serves as a seat of the Georgian Orthodox bishop of Skhalta.

The Skhalta monastery is located on a hill in the eponymous river valley, at the village of Q'inchauri, Khulo municipality, along a road, which, in the Middle Ages, strategically linked Adjara with Artani (modern Ardahan, Turkey). The written sources on Skhalta are scarce. A legend attributes the construction of the church to Queen Tamar (r. 1184–1213), who presided over the "Golden Age" of medieval Georgia. Modern studies date the church to the middle of the 13th century. At that time, the Skhalta valley was in possession of the noble family of Abuserisdze.

After the Ottoman conquest of the region in the 16th century, the church was abandoned. The monastery was rediscovered and sketched by Giorgi Kazbegi, the Georgian officer in the Russian service, who was in Ottoman Georgia on a reconnaissance mission in 1874. After Adjara passed in the Russian hands in 1878, Skhalta — then lying in the estate of the Muslim Georgian chief Sherif-Bey — was visited and described by the students of Caucasian antiquities such as Dimitri Bakradze and Countess Praskovya Uvarova. Bakradze cites a document from the period of King Alexander I of Georgia (r. 1412–1442), according to which Skhalta belonged to the patriarchal see of Mtskheta.

The revival of religious activity and rising influence of the Georgian Orthodox Church in the closing years of the Soviet Union led to the restoration of the Skhalta church to Christian use. In June 1989, Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia II of Georgia paid a visit to Skhalta and held a requiem for those who had died in landslides and floods earlier that year. In 1990, Skhalta was consecrated as a male monastery of the Nativity of Mary.

Saint Mary’s Cathedral is located in the historic center of Photi. In particular : В in today’s Central Park. This location of the building was chosen because of the rays perceived from the street.

Photi is a city, which was built according to a plan. 12 squares were joining the central street (twelve Apostles sign) and the ray sign was created. The most important event in the history of Photi was the building of Guria– Samegrelo eparchy’s cathedral in 1906-1907 years, In which’s construction, great contribution belongs to Niko Nikoladze.

The project was created by A.Zelenko. The project is the reduced analog of Constantinople’s Hagia Sofia. Later, after that, R. Marpeld made some corrections in project, the project was approved. The church was entertained to hold 2000 prayers. The construction of the church was tasked to “Black Sea Building Society”. The construction began in 6 July, 1906 and finished in September, 1907. It lasted for 1 year and 3 months. It was opened on 14 September “Jvartamagleba” holiday. The church’s foundation was blessed, by Guria-Samegrelo bishop, Giorgi.

On 22 May, 1907 the cross was erected on the dome of the church. Soviet government, turned the cathedral into theatre. In 2005, by the prayer-blessing of Catholicos-Patriarch of Georgia, the cathedral returned to the Photi patriarchate ownage.

Saint Mary’s Cathedral is located in the historic center of Photi. In particular : В in today’s Central Park. This location of the building was chosen because of the rays perceived from the street.

Photi is a city, which was built according to a plan. 12 squares were joining the central street (twelve Apostles sign) and the ray sign was created. The most important event in the history of Photi was the building of Guria– Samegrelo eparchy’s cathedral in 1906-1907 years, In which’s construction, great contribution belongs to Niko Nikoladze.

The project was created by A.Zelenko. The project is the reduced analog of Constantinople’s Hagia Sofia. Later, after that, R. Marpeld made some corrections in project, the project was approved. The church was entertained to hold 2000 prayers. The construction of the church was tasked to “Black Sea Building Society”. The construction began in 6 July, 1906 and finished in September, 1907. It lasted for 1 year and 3 months. It was opened on 14 September “Jvartamagleba” holiday. The church’s foundation was blessed, by Guria-Samegrelo bishop, Giorgi.

On 22 May, 1907 the cross was erected on the dome of the church. Soviet government, turned the cathedral into theatre. In 2005, by the prayer-blessing of Catholicos-Patriarch of Georgia, the cathedral returned to the Photi patriarchate ownage.

The Church is Cathedral of Georgian Orthodox Church of the Holy Trinity. It is situated on the hill of St. Elijah in the center of Tbilisi. It is the largest religious building in Georgia.

The construction began in 1995 with the intention to celebrate 2000 years of Christianity. Later the construction was discontinued for economic reasons but in 2000, was resumed.

November 23, 2004, in day of the liturgical memory St. George, Catholicos-patriarch of Georgia Elijah II has made solemn consecration of the Council giving it the call of the Holy Trinity.

-

Sobór Trójcy Świętej jest soborem katedralnym Gruzińskiego Kościoła Prawosławnego. Jest położony na wzgórzu św. Eliasza w centrum Tbilisi. Jest największą budowlą sakralną Gruzji.

Budowę soboru rozpoczęto w 1995 z zamiarem uczczenia 2000-lecia chrześcijaństwa. Później budowę przerwano z powodów ekonomicznych ale w 2000 wznowiono.

23 listopada 2004, w dzień wspomnienia liturgicznego św. Jerzego, Katolikos-Patriarcha Gruzji Eliasz II dokonał uroczystej konsekracji soboru nadając mu wezwanie Świętej Trójcy.

Sobór w Tbilisi jest jedną z największych świątyń prawosławnych na świecie. Ma wysokość 68 m. Wymiary na osi wschód-zachód – 77 m, a na osi północ-południe - 65 m.

Mtskheta (Georgian: მცხეთა) is a city in Mtskheta-Mtianeti province of Georgia. One of the oldest cities of Georgia, it is located approximately 20 kilometres (12 miles) north of Tbilisi, at the confluence of the Mtkvari and Aragvi rivers.

Due to its historical significance and several cultural monuments, the "Historical Monuments of Mtskheta" became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994. As the birthplace and one of the most vibrant centers of Christianity in Georgia, Mtskheta was declared as the "Holy City" by the Georgian Orthodox Church in 2014.

In 2016 the Historical Monuments of Mtskheta were placed by UNESCO under Enhanced Protection, a mechanism established by the 1999 Second Protocol to the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict.

Mtskheta was founded by the ancient Meschian tribes in the 5th century BC. It was capital of the early Georgian Kingdom of Iberia from the 3rd century BC to the 5th century AD. It was a site of early Christian activity resulting in Christianization of Iberia, where Christianity was proclaimed the state religion in 337. It remains the headquarters of the Georgian Orthodox Church.

King Dachi of Iberia (early 6th century AD), who was the successor of Vakhtang I of Iberia, moved the capital from Mtskheta to the more easily defensible Tbilisi according to the will left by his father. However, Mtskheta continued to serve as the coronation and burial place for most kings of Georgia until the end of the kingdom in the 19th century.

The old city lies at the confluence of the rivers Mtkvari and Aragvi. The rare blend of cultural values had ruled in this part of the world since the Bronze Age until prosperous Christian era over the unique eclectic lifestyle creating the mood of the town which is as old as the history of Georgia. Mtskheta is the most religious city of Georgia as it has been the shrine of pagan idols since times immemorial and it is where Christianity in Georgia takes its origin.

In recognition of its role in the Georgian Christian history, Mtskheta was granted the status of a "Holy City" by Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia II of Georgia in accordance of the written testament of his 11th-century predecessor Melchizedek I of Georgia.

Svetitskhoveli Cathedral (11th century) and Jvari Monastery (6th century) in Mtskheta are amongst the most significant monuments of Georgian Christian architecture, and are historically significant in the development of medieval architecture throughout the Caucasus. Of special significance are early inscriptions, which form a valuable reference in the study of the origins of the early Georgian alphabet.

The Cathedral of Panagia Portaitissa of Iberia (Georgian: ივერიის ღვთისმშობლის ხატის სახელობის ტაძარი) is a cathedral of the Georgian Orthodox Church in Tbilisi, Georgia. Construction was inaugurated in 2012 by the initiative of the Catholicos Patriarch of All Georgia, Ilia II. The cathedral is dedicated after the original Panagia Portaitissa icon held at the Monastery of the Iberians on Mount Athos.

Cathedral Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary was built in 1897 by Zubalashvili brothers. The church was built in the Neo-Gothic style with three domes. During the Soviet period, the church was closed and converted into a high-voltage laboratory. Later, the church was transferred to the Georgian Orthodox Church. In 1989, the church was consecrated by Catholicos- Patriarch of Georgia Ilia II. 5000 people were baptized on this day in the church. The priest David Shiolashvili was appointed as the head of the church, who was blessed as a chief priest by the Catholicos-Patriarch of Georgia Ilia II on this important day. Today, the Cathedral Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary is the main cathedral of the Diocese of Batumi and Lazeti.

The Cathedral of Panagia Portaitissa of Iberia (Georgian: ივერიის ღვთისმშობლის ხატის სახელობის ტაძარი) is a cathedral of the Georgian Orthodox Church in Tbilisi, Georgia. Construction was inaugurated in 2012 by the initiative of the Catholicos Patriarch of All Georgia, Ilia II. The cathedral is dedicated after the original Panagia Portaitissa icon held at the Monastery of the Iberians on Mount Athos.

The Sioni Cathedral of the Dormition (Georgian: სიონის ღვთისმშობლის მიძინების ტაძარი) is a Georgian Orthodox cathedral located in Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia. Following a medieval Georgian tradition of naming churches after specific places in the Holy Land, the Sioni Cathedral bears the name of Mount Zion at Jerusalem. It is commonly referred to as the "Tbilisi Sioni" to distinguish it from other churches in Georgia with the same name.

The Tbilisi Sioni Cathedral is situated in the historic Sionis Kucha (Sioni Street) in downtown Tbilisi, with its eastern façade fronting the right bank of the Kura River. The cathedral was initially built in the 6th and 7th centuries. Since then, it has been destroyed by foreign invaders and reconstructed several times. The current structure is based on a 13th-century version, with some modifications made between the 17th and 19th centuries. The Sioni Cathedral served as the main Georgian Orthodox Cathedral and the seat of the Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia until the Holy Trinity Cathedral was consecrated in 2004.

Situated in the enthralling Dariali Gorge, the Dariali Monastery manifests itself as a beacon of Georgia's rich spiritual heritage. Resting at an altitude of 1,300 meters (about 4,265 feet) above sea level, this newly constructed monument provides the first introduction to the country for those entering from the Kazbegi-Larsi border crossing.

The Dariali Gorge, serving as a bridge between modern-day Russia and Georgia, resonates with the echoes of ancient trade routes. Countless trucks even today line up along this historic path, carrying forward the legacy of commerce. Amidst this bustling border crossing, the Dariali Monastery, established under the guidance of the Catholicos-Patriarch of Georgia Ilia II in 2005, stands as a testament to Georgia's enduring faith.

The monks residing in the monastery contributed significantly to its development, having been directly involved in the construction, decoration, and establishment of twelve different churches. The first of these, the Michael and Gabriel Archangel Church, was unveiled to the public in 2011.

The main church, inspired by an 11th-century church in Nikortsminda, forms the centerpiece of the monastery complex. Built with gray-rose stone, the monastery replicates the weathered look of its ancient predecessors, capturing the essence of Georgia's monastic tradition. This working monastery, open every day, serves not only as a religious center but also a cultural hub, hosting a fascinating library, a cheese production unit, and a unique wine cellar.

From the monastery, visitors can soak in the breathtaking panorama of the adjacent river valley, framed by the magnificent Caucasus Mountains. The Dariali Father Monastery Complex, situated in the Stephantsminda, Kazbegi region, houses several churches and is destined to host twelve temples in the future.

The Dariali Monastery, though a mere 10 kilometers (approximately 6.2 miles) from the heart of Stephantsminda/Kazbegi and 150 kilometers (about 93.2 miles) from the capital city, feels like a world apart. Here, in the lap of nature, spiritual seekers and history enthusiasts can delve into a unique blend of faith, culture, and natural beauty, all embodied within the walls of this awe-inspiring edifice.

Ishkani or Ishkhan, (Georgian: იშხანი, Turkish: Işhan) is a ruined Christian monastery in the territory of Turkey in the village of Arpacık, Artvin province. It was one of the important spiritual centers in the Middle Ages Tayk/Tao-Klarjeti. Only the magnificent church and the adjacent chapel have survived. The earliest mention of the monastery is found in The Life of Grigol Khandzteli, a Georgian manuscript dating from the year 951, which is now kept in Jerusalem.

In this manuscript it is stated that Saba, the nephew and follower of the priest Gregory of Khandzta, founded a monastery on the site of an earlier church. The first church built by catholicos Nerses III (641-661), who was native from the village of Ishkhan, and is also known as Nerses III Ishkhanetsi, had a tetraconch plan (a central dome with four apses radiating to the cardinal points) and was presumably damaged during the Arab invasions of the 7th century. Five Georgian inscriptions within the church and on the southern facade indicate different restoration periods, from 917 until 1032. From the 12th to the end of the 14th century, large vestibules were added to the south, west and north facades. The monastery used to be one of the five patriarchates of Tao-Klarjeti and its church functioned as a cathedral until the 17th century. It was used as the headquarters for the Ottoman officers during the Russo-Turkish War in the 19th century, while its west arm was converted into a mosque and remained so until 1983. In 1987, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism (Turkey) registered İshkhhan as a national cultural monument and the site is now protected. In 2013, the Monastery was being renovated, but work stopped because Georgia said the work was done improperly.

Devalokam Aramana is the official residence of the Catholicos of the East and Malankara Metropolitan of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church is situated at Devalokam in Kottayam., Kerala, India.

Shavnabada monastery, St. George monastery in the Southeast of Georgia, in the region of Kvemo Kartli, within the municipality of Gardabani. Shavnabad Monastery was founded near St. George's Church in 1992, with the blessing of Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia Ilia II.

In 1795, after the Aga-Mohammad Khan took Tbilisi, the Persians began to plunder the city.The Persian raiding army was returning to the camp late in the evening. The camp on the left side of Mtkvari, in the vicinity of Soganluga, was located on a high mountain.

According to legend, every night when the Persians returned with their loot, unusual troubles occurred with them. At midnight, as the soldiers were falling asleep, a man on a horse invaded the camp. A horseman would kill many of them, scare the army, and then he would suddenly disappear. He was wearing a black raincoat called "Shavi Nabadi" in Georgian. From there come the names of the monastery and the mountain. It would be repeated night after night. The Persians decided to kill the horseman. However, they were unable to catch him, and Agha Muhammad Khan decided to leave Georgia with his army. He promised that he would definitely return to Georgia next year and destroy everything.

The Georgians named the mountain where the black felt i.e. shavnabada horseman attacked the enemy, and called Mount Shavnabada, the Georgians were very happy that the conquerors left the country, and built a temple on Mount Shavnabada, named after St. George. They believed that the rider was St. George himself, who saved their lives. A year later, Aga Muhammad Khan decided to return to Georgia and finally invade it. However, on the eve of the trip, they found him killed by a sword in his own tent.

Saint Mary’s Cathedral is located in the historic center of Photi. In particular : В in today’s Central Park. This location of the building was chosen because of the rays perceived from the street.

Photi is a city, which was built according to a plan. 12 squares were joining the central street (twelve Apostles sign) and the ray sign was created. The most important event in the history of Photi was the building of Guria– Samegrelo eparchy’s cathedral in 1906-1907 years, In which’s construction, great contribution belongs to Niko Nikoladze.

The project was created by A.Zelenko. The project is the reduced analog of Constantinople’s Hagia Sofia. Later, after that, R. Marpeld made some corrections in project, the project was approved. The church was entertained to hold 2000 prayers. The construction of the church was tasked to “Black Sea Building Society”. The construction began in 6 July, 1906 and finished in September, 1907. It lasted for 1 year and 3 months. It was opened on 14 September “Jvartamagleba” holiday. The church’s foundation was blessed, by Guria-Samegrelo bishop, Giorgi.

On 22 May, 1907 the cross was erected on the dome of the church. Soviet government, turned the cathedral into theatre. In 2005, by the prayer-blessing of Catholicos-Patriarch of Georgia, the cathedral returned to the Photi patriarchate ownage.

The Sioni Cathedral of the Dormition (Georgian: სიონის ღვთისმშობლის მიძინების ტაძარი) is a Georgian Orthodox cathedral in Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia. Following a medieval Georgian tradition of naming churches after particular places in the Holy Land, the Sioni Cathedral bears the name of Mount Zion at Jerusalem. It is commonly known as the "Tbilisi Sioni" to distinguish it from several other churches across Georgia bearing the name Sioni.

The Tbilisi Sioni Cathedral is situated in historic Sionis Kucha (Sioni Street) in downtown Tbilisi, with its eastern façade fronting the right embankment of the Kura River. It was initially built in the 6th and 7th centuries. Since then, it has been destroyed by foreign invaders and reconstructed several times. The current church is based on a 13th-century version with some changes from the 17th to 19th centuries. The Sioni Cathedral was the main Georgian Orthodox Cathedral and the seat of Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia until the Holy Trinity Cathedral was consecrated in 2004.

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en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Svetitskhoveli

Svetitskhoveli Cathedral (Georgian: სვეტიცხოვლის საკათედრო ტაძარი, svet'icxovlis sak'atedro t'adzari; literally, "the Living Pillar Cathedral") is a Georgian Orthodox cathedral located in the historical town of Mtskheta, Georgia, 20 km northwest of the nation's capital of Tbilisi.

Svetitskhoveli, known as the burial site of Christ's mantle, has long been the principal Georgian church and remains one of the most venerated places of worship to this day. It presently functions as the seat of the archbishop of Mtskheta and Tbilisi, who is at the same time Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia.

The current cathedral was built in the 11th century by the Georgian architect Arsukisdze, though the site itself is even older dating back to the early 4th century and is surrounded by a number of legends associated primarily with the early Christian traditions.

It is the second largest church building in the country, after the recently consecrated Tbilisi Holy Trinity Cathedral, and is listed as an UNESCO World Heritage Site along with other historical monuments of Mtskheta.

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The cathedral of Zvartnots was built by order of the Catholicos Nerses III between the years 641 and 662. It was damaged by an earthquake in the 10th century and unearthed nearly a thousand years later in 1900-1907, near the town of Echmiadzin.

In 2000 the site was placed on the Unesco world heritage list.

Submitted 22/02/2015

Accepted 20/03/2015

In the 11th century Melkhisedek, the Catholicos of Georgia, began building the new patriarchal temple on the place of the old church. There is a legend connected with this building too. “To build the temple Arsukisdze, an architect, was invited. When the building was ready it turned out that the masterpiece considerably surpassed the creations of his teacher. The teacher's pride was hurt so he slandered his pupil and the architect's hand was cut off. According to an alternative version the hand of Arsukidze was cut off by the king's order so that he was not able to construct anything similar to Svetitskhoveli.”

Probably the latter version is true as over one of the facade arches there is the relief with the image of a hand holding a setsquare. The inscription under the relief says: “the Hand of the servant of God Arsukidze. Remember”.

A sudden, heavy, rainstorm helped me catch this nice reflection shot of one of the more interesting and beautiful 21st Century churches I've seen, the Church of the Holy Archangels in Etchmiadzin.

The Church of the Holy Archangels (Armenian: Սրբոց Հրեշտակապետաց եկեղեցի), is a church located in the precincts of Etchmiadzin Cathedral, the mother church of Armenia.

It was designed by Jim Torosyan and built from 2007-11.

It is a circular-cylindrical church with an intentionally minimalist design. It has a diameter of 15 meters. The small, high, windows give an intentionally soft and filtered quality to the interior light.

It occupies the northeastern corner of the Mother See complex, the area between the Gevorkian Seminary and the Gate of Vazgen I.

The consecration of the church took place on 5 November 2011 by Catholicos Karekin II. The church is mainly used by the deacons and students of the seminary to hold their daily liturgical services and divine worship, although it is also open for secular worshippers. It is currently (summer 2022) very busy as Etchmiadzin Cathedral is closed for renovation.

This description incorporates text from the English Wikipedia and a few machine translations the Armenian Wikipedia.

Etchmiadzin is the theological capital of Armenia and is also the seat of The Catholicos of All Armenians. The Etchmiadzin Cathedral is surrounded by historical buildings, gardens, and the entire complex is full of harmony and calmness.

The Khor Virap monastery is an Armenian monastery located in the Ararat plains not far from the closed border with Turkey. The monastery was host to a theological seminary and was the residence to the Armenian Catholicos.

Etchmiadzin is the theological capital of Armenia and is also the seat of The Catholicos of All Armenians. The Etchmiadzin Cathedral is surrounded by historical buildings, gardens, and the entire complex is full of harmony and calmness.

Zvartnots Cathedral (Armenian: Զուարթնոց տաճար (classical); Զվարթնոց տաճար (reformed); literally 'celestial angels cathedral') is a 7th-century centrally planned aisled tetraconch type Armenian cathedral built by the order of Catholicos Nerses the Builder from 643-652. Now in ruins, it is located at the edge of the city of Vagharshapat (Etchmiadzin) in Armavir Province of Armenia.

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The Khor Virap - Խոր Վիրապ, meaning deep pit or "deep well" is an Armenian Apostolic Church monastery located in the Ararat plain in Armenia, near the border with Turkey, about 8 kilometres (5.0 mi) south of Artashat, Ararat Province. The monastery was host to a theological seminary and was the residence of Armenian Catholicos.

If there is a single place/shot I have seen and wanted to see with my own eyes in Armenia, it must be the Khor Virap Monastery standing in front of biblical Mt. Ararat. To get this shot I had to visit this place 3 times and even the 3rd time I had to wait for some time to get this wonderful light. Travel photography is fun, however not always rewarding with the best light the first time you visit the location, however when you have the luxury of time and have a chance to come back thanks to proper planning, you might be rewarded with shot like this (Although Mt. Ararat is still partly hiding behind those clouds).

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Церковь Св. Рипсиме. Эчмиадзин, Армения VIII в. н.э.

Saint Hripsime Church[ is a seventh-century Armenian Apostolic church in the city of Vagharshapat (Etchmiadzin), Armenia. It was built in 618 by Catholicos Komitas over the tomb of Hripsime, a Roman virgin murdered by Tiridates III and a key figure in the Christianization of Armenia.

Standing largely intact since its construction, the church has been widely admired for its architecture and proportions. Considered a masterpiece of classical Armenian architecture, it has influenced many other Armenian churches. It features innovations, namely trapezoidal niches and conical squinches, containing their first dated examples, and the only example in Armenia of turrets at the base of the drum serving as anchors and buttresses. The two inscriptions left by Komitas constitute the second-earliest extant Armenian-language inscriptions. The church was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site along with other nearby churches, including Etchmiadzin Cathedral, Armenia's mother church, in 2000.

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Armenia - Yerevan - Երևան - Capital & largest city of Armenia - One of the world's oldest continuously-inhabited cities - Saint Gregory the Illumminator Cathedral - Սուրբ Գրիգոր Լուսաւորիչ Եկեղեցի - Surp Grigor Lusavorich Yekeghetsi - Largest Armenian church in the world located in the Kentron District .

The Cathedral is the symbol of the 1700th anniversary of the proclamation of Christianity as a State Religion in Armenia and house for relics of Saint Gregory the Illuminator (Surp Grigor). The Holy Remains of St. Gregory were brought from Naples, Italy. Shortly after the consecration of the Cathedral Pope John Paul II paid a visit to the Cathedral. The cathedral has been constructed by the initiative of catholicos Vazgen I. The construction started on April 7, 1997 with a ground blessing service conducted by catholicos Karekin I. The church complex was designed by the architect Stepan Kurkchyan and the construction was completed in 2001.

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The Skhalta Cathedral is a Georgian Orthodox monastery and cathedral church in Adjara, Georgia, dating from the mid-13th century. It is a large hall church design, with fragments of the 14th or 15th century Paleologian-style wall painting.

Skhalta is the only medieval church in Adjara that survived both the Ottoman and Soviet periods to become functional again in 1990. It currently serves as a seat of the Georgian Orthodox bishop of Skhalta.

The Skhalta monastery is located on a hill in the eponymous river valley, at the village of Q'inchauri, Khulo municipality, along a road, which, in the Middle Ages, strategically linked Adjara with Artani (modern Ardahan, Turkey). The written sources on Skhalta are scarce. A legend attributes the construction of the church to Queen Tamar (r. 1184–1213), who presided over the "Golden Age" of medieval Georgia. Modern studies date the church to the middle of the 13th century. At that time, the Skhalta valley was in possession of the noble family of Abuserisdze.

After the Ottoman conquest of the region in the 16th century, the church was abandoned. The monastery was rediscovered and sketched by Giorgi Kazbegi, the Georgian officer in the Russian service, who was in Ottoman Georgia on a reconnaissance mission in 1874. After Adjara passed in the Russian hands in 1878, Skhalta — then lying in the estate of the Muslim Georgian chief Sherif-Bey — was visited and described by the students of Caucasian antiquities such as Dimitri Bakradze and Countess Praskovya Uvarova. Bakradze cites a document from the period of King Alexander I of Georgia (r. 1412–1442), according to which Skhalta belonged to the patriarchal see of Mtskheta.

The revival of religious activity and rising influence of the Georgian Orthodox Church in the closing years of the Soviet Union led to the restoration of the Skhalta church to Christian use. In June 1989, Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia II of Georgia paid a visit to Skhalta and held a requiem for those who had died in landslides and floods earlier that year. In 1990, Skhalta was consecrated as a male monastery of the Nativity of Mary.

Ishkani or Ishkhan is Georgian Orthodox monastery in the territory of Turkey in the village of Arpacık, Artvin province. It was one of the important spiritual centers in the Middle Ages Tayk/Tao-Klarjeti. Only the magnificent church and the adjacent chapel have survived. The earliest mention of the monastery is found in The Life of Grigol Khandzteli, a Georgian manuscript dating from the year 951, which is now kept in Jerusalem.

In this manuscript it is stated that Saba, the nephew and follower of the priest Gregory of Khandzta, founded a monastery on the site of an earlier church. The first church built by catholicos Nerses III, who was native from the village of Ishkhan, and is also known as Nerses III Ishkhanetsi, had a tetraconch plan and was presumably damaged during the Arab invasions of the 7th century.

Sioni Cathedral, Tbilisi, Georgia.

Sioni or Zion Cathedral in the name of the Assumption of the Mother of God is one of the most known monuments in the Old Town . The beginning of its construction is dated the 5 th – 6 th centuries and the completion - the first half of the 7 th century. The Cathedral is named in the honor of Jerusalem Zion.

Today Sioni is the residence of the Catholicos - the Patriarch of Georgian Christian church. There the greatest relic of Georgia , the cross of St. Nino who established Christianity on Georgian soil, is kept there. The cross is made of two grapevines and is intertwined with the Saint's hair according to the legend.

Despite the high status of the temple, its look is modest and reserved. Its architectural style reminds strict Catholic structures of a religious cult lacking any elements of decor. The only ornament of the cathedral is the high tower with the peaked steepled dome towering over the central part of Sioni. The dome rests on the vaults closing the altar walls and two separately standing arrow shaped columns.

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The Church of Saint Gayane (Armenian: Սուրբ Գայանե եկեղեցի; pronounced Surb Gayane) is a 7th-century Armenian church in Vagharshapat (Etchmiadzin), the religious center of Armenia. It is located within walking distance from the Etchmiadzin Cathedral of 301. St. Gayane was built by Catholicos Ezra I in the year 630. Its design has remained unchanged despite partial renovations of the dome and some ceilings in 1652.

Gayane was the name of an abbess who was martyred with other nuns by Tiridates III of Armenia in the year 301, and subsequently made a saint of the Armenian Apostolic Church.

In 2000, Saint Gayane Church was listed in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites along with historical churches of Vagharshapat.

Etchmiadzin is the theological capital of Armenia and is also the seat of The Catholicos of All Armenians. The Etchmiadzin Cathedral is surrounded by historical buildings, gardens, and the entire complex is full of harmony and calmness.

the parroquia de jesus nazareno in atotonilco, mexico is a church for penitents and is favored by those who engage in self-flagellation and other violent ways of redeeming oneself. Outside the church, vendors sell 'ceremonial' crowns of thorns and whips, though during the penitence season, real ones are used.

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The "Sioni" Cathedral of the Dormition - სიონის ღვთისმშობლის მიძინების ტაძარი - is a Georgian Orthodox cathedral in Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia. Following a medieval Georgian tradition of naming churches after particular places in the Holy Land, the Sioni Cathedral bears the name of Mount Zion at Jerusalem. It is commonly known as the "Tbilisi Sioni" to distinguish it from several other churches across Georgia bearing the name Sioni. The Tbilisi Sioni Cathedral is situated in historic Sionis Kucha (Sioni Street) in downtown Tbilisi, with its eastern façade fronting the right embankment of the Mtkvari River. It was initially built in the 6th-7th centuries. Since then, it has been destroyed by foreign invaders and reconstructed several times. The current church is based on a 13th-century version with some changes from the 17th to 19th centuries. The Sioni Cathedral was the main Georgian Orthodox Cathedral and the seat of Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia until the Holy Trinity Cathedral was consecrated in 2004.

I wanted to capture such sun-rays coming through ceiling of a church since I got to Armenia, however the right conditions were never in place... you need sun - which was very rare during days I was there and when the sun was present and I was in the church, there was not enough dust/smoke that the sun could shine through. Therefore I was really glad that the first cathedral in Tbilisi offered me such a view, especially with copula with Christ like this. Unfortunately nothing in life is really for free, it always asks something back. I must have upset local priest because as soon as I finished capturing this (during very active service) and just wanted to enjoy the atmosphere, someone from the church came to me and ask me to leave. I was rather surprised as I didnt take any photos at that moment and just stood still... I was asked again and I was still not willing to leave, after few moments a woman next to me told me : "You are catholic, and this is Orthodox church, you must leave !!" and I thought : "WOW, should not God love us all the same, regardless the religion, especially when the religion is same - Christianity !! (besides I'm not catholic :-)) anyway I didnt want to make a scene and left the church.... still wondering, but happy I got such photos !! :-) on similar note - as I just arrived to Tbilisi from Armenia, where I also visited main service on Sunday morning in the main country Cathedral and it was wonderful experience, besides those many tourists brought by many buses to enjoy the atmosphere. I have assumed that Georgia is the same... but I was wrong.. or it might just have been that I didnt have any obvious signs of being Orthodox person :-))

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All images are exclusive property and may not be copied, downloaded, reproduced, transmitted, manipulated or used in any way without expressed, written permission of the photographer.