Shrines of Orthodox Georgia. Georgia Find a list of names of saints of the Georgian Orthodox Church

Armenia is the first country to adopt Christianity as a state religion in 301. This is a state with a rich history, rooted in the legend of Noah’s Ark, left on Mount Ararat. The Armenian Highlands became the location of the legendary ancient state of Urartu, which competed for the right of primacy in this region with Babylon and Assyria. Armenia then came under the influence of the Medes, and soon became part of the Persian Achaemenid Empire. This territory was conquered by Alexander the Great and became part of the vast Hellenistic world. After the death of the great conqueror, the Armenian state fell under the protectorate of the Syrian Seleucids.

The reason for the baptism of Armenia was the story of the death of Saints Hripsimeyanki

The Christian faith began to spread throughout the territory of Armenia back in the 1st century AD, as well as in neighboring Colchis (present-day Georgia). There is a legend according to which the Armenian ruler Avgar, having learned about the appearance of the Savior on Palestinian soil, sent his ambassadors to him with an invitation to visit the capital, Edessa. In response to the invitation, the Savior sent his two disciples Bartholomew and Thadeus with a blessing and His Image Not Made by Hands. Coming to the Armenian land from Assyria and Cappadocia, they began to spread the word of God in the period from 60 to 68 AD. In the Armenian tradition, Thaddeus and Bartholomew became known as the “Enlighteners of the Armenian World.” For the first two centuries, Armenian Christians were still oppressed by the pagans - they were the majority, and paganism remained the state religion. The persecution of the new faith in Armenia was carried out in parallel with the persecution in Rome. Both the then rulers Trdat III and the Roman emperor Diocletian considered the first Christians to be marginal elements corrupting the foundations of statehood. However, oppression at the official level gradually faded away and by the beginning of the 4th century had completely disappeared - in 313, Emperor Constantine the Great signed the Edict of Milan, which legalized the Christian religion in the Roman Empire. Trdat's intentions were even more radical - he decided to eradicate paganism overnight and make Christianity a single faith for all Armenians.

The reason for this act was the story of the martyrdom of the holy virgins of Hripsimeyanki. Several Christian Roman girls fled from persecution in their homeland and, visiting Jerusalem, came to Armenia, where they settled near the city of Vagharshapat. Trdat admired the beauty of one of them, Hripsime, but did not reciprocate, which made him furious and ordered the execution of all the Roman women. The exemplary execution took place in 300, and its consequences had a serious impact on the ruler’s mental health: the illness that happened to Trdat was often called “pig disease,” which is why a pig’s head appeared in the image of the king. And at the same time, one of the king’s former associates, Christian Gregory, was in captivity, whom Trdat accused of killing his father and put in a pit with snakes and scorpions. After spending 13 years in inhuman conditions, Gregory was miraculously released, as the king’s sister had a prophetic dream, informing her that only this prisoner was able to heal her brother from mental illness. The liberated Gregory ordered the tortured Hripsimeans to be interred with all Christian honors. And after preaching for 66 days, he ultimately healed the ruler. Admired by the miracles of Gregory, Trdat accepted the Christian faith and made it the official religion of Armenia.

The ancient Georgian state adopted Christianity in the same 4th century thanks to Saint Nino, who from that moment is considered the patroness of Georgia. As in the case of Armenia, the reason for the adoption of Christianity was a miracle of healing, and in 324 or 326 the Georgian king Mirian approved a new official religion. Saint Nino, Equal to the Apostles, was born in Cappadocia around 280. Coming from a very noble family, the young girl at the age of 12 ended up in Jerusalem, where her parents were ordained clergy. Finding herself in the care of the old woman Nianfora, Nino listened with delight to her stories about the distant and fabulous country of Iveria (present-day Georgia). Inspired by the stories, Nino wanted to visit this country one day and soon she had the following opportunity: one day in a dream she saw the Virgin Mary, who handed her a cross made of vines, saying, “Take this cross, it will be your shield and fence against all visible and invisible enemies. Go to the country of Iveron, preach the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ there and you will find grace from Him. I will be your Patroness.” This cross is still kept in the Sioni Cathedral in Tbilisi. Nino turned for a blessing to her uncle, the Patriarch of Jerusalem, who sent her to a distant country.

Saint Nino, having baptized Iberia, converted neighboring Kakheti to Christianity

On the way to Iveria, Nino almost died at the hands of the Armenian ruler Trdat III, already mentioned above in connection with the baptism of Armenia. Miraculously escaping death, Nino reached Iveria in 319. Entering the ancient capital of Georgia, Mtskheta, the future patroness of all Georgians found shelter in the family of a childless royal gardener. The prayers of Saint Nino miraculously helped the gardener’s wife Anna, who soon became pregnant and after this story believed in Christ. Soon, the miraculous Nino was first learned in the immediate vicinity, and later rumors reached the Georgian queen Nana, who was suffering from a serious illness. However, the miraculous incident with his wife had the opposite effect on King Mirian - he hated Saint Nino and even wanted to kill her.

Where is the Robe of the Lord located in Mtskheta, a temple was erected in honor of the 12 Apostles

But after a hunting accident, the king, caught in a thunderstorm, became blind and promised to convert to Christianity if he was healed. Saint Nino soon healed Mirian, and he, in gratitude, believed in God and converted first all his subjects, and then the entire Iberian people, to the Christian faith. According to the legend of the chronicles, Saint Nino showed the king where the Robe of the Lord was located and on that place (in Mtskheta) they first built a wooden and then a stone temple in honor of the 12 holy Apostles, Svetitskhoveli. In 324 (or 326) Christianity became the official religion of the Georgian people. After the churching of Iveria, Saint Nino went to neighboring Kakheti, where she converted the local queen Sophia to the faith.

Having completed her good mission, Saint Nino soon had a dream in which she learned of her imminent death. She asked King Mirian to send Bishop John to help her prepare for her final journey. Soon Saint Nino with the bishop and the Iberian king went to Bodbe, where on her deathbed she performed her last healings and there she told about her origin. This information is reflected in chronicles that have survived to this day. On January 27, 335 (or 347) Saint Nino was buried in Bodbe, as she herself bequeathed. The Georgian Orthodox Church, with the consent of the Antioch Patriarchate, named the enlightener of Georgia equal to the apostles and canonized her. In Georgia, on January 27, the holiday of Ninoba was established - on this day the Orthodox Church commemorates Saint Nino. In honor of her, many temples were erected throughout the country, in Tbilisi alone there are at least five of them. And in the Zion Cathedral of the Assumption of the Mother of God there is a cross made of grapevine, entwined with her hair.

Two new icons recently appeared in the Church of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God in Puchkovo: St. Equal to the Apostles Nina, enlightener of Iberia, and the Council of Georgian Saints (“Life-Giving Pillar”).

The Georgian Church is one of the oldest Orthodox Churches. The emergence of Christianity in Georgia dates back to the time of the earthly life of the Savior.

According to legend, Iveria is the apostolic lot of the Virgin Mary, Her destiny. After the Ascension, the apostles gathered in the Upper Room of Zion to decide which country each of them should go to. The Virgin Mary wanted to take part in the apostolic preaching, and Iberia fell to Her. However, the Lord told Her that Her lot would be enlightened in subsequent times, and prepared for Her apostolic service on Athos (also called the lot of the Mother of God).

The first saint of the Georgian Church -blessed Sidonia , Mtskheta Jew, sister of Rabbi Elioz. She did not see Christ, but, having heard about Him, she immediately believed in Him as the Messiah and Savior of the world, believed with all the strength and love of her heart. And when her brother, along with the pilgrims, went to Jerusalem (this was in the year of the Savior’s execution), she begged him to bring with him to Mtskheta, as a great blessing, some thing belonging to Christ. Elioz fulfilled his sister's request. He was at Golgotha ​​during the crucifixion of the Savior, bought a Tunic from one of the soldiers who carried out His execution and brought this priceless treasure to Mtskheta. St. Sidonia met her brother at the gate. He told her what happened at Golgotha ​​and gave her the Heaton. Sidonia pressed the Chiton to her chest and, out of great sorrow over the Savior’s suffering on the cross and the great grace emanating from the Lord’s Tunic, fell lifeless to the ground. The whole city gathered around the dead maiden. King Amazaer (Adarnas) found out about this and wanted to take the Chiton to put on it himself, but no force could release the hands of the dead girl. She was buried in the royal garden with the Heaton on her chest. A mighty cedar grew at this place, which covered Sidonia’s grave with its roots. This cedar, like a seal on her grave, stood for three centuries. Residents of Mtskheta noticed that sick birds flew to the cedar, sat on its branches, pecked at the needles and flew away healthy; even wild animals came to the cedar and ate the fallen pine needles.

Saint Nino of Cappadocia was the cousin of St. George the Victorious. At the age of 12, she came to Jerusalem with her parents, who had an only daughter. Saint Nina's father Zabulon dedicated his life to serving God in the deserts of Jordan, and mother Susanna was made a deaconess at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. The upbringing of Saint Nina was entrusted to the pious elder Nianfora. A few years later, Saint Nina had a vision of the Mother of God. Nino asked: “Where is the Robe of the Lord?” “In the land of Iberia, which was bequeathed to me,” answered the Virgin Mary.

Having learned from Nianfora that Georgia had not yet been enlightened by the light of Christianity, Saint Nina prayed day and night to the Most Holy Theotokos, that she might be worthy to see Georgia turned to the Lord, and that she might help her to find the Robe of the Lord. The Queen of Heaven heard the prayers of the young righteous woman. She appeared to her in a dream and, handing over a cross woven from a vine, said: “Take this cross, it will be your shield and fence against all visible and invisible enemies. Go to the country of Iveron, preach the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ there and you will find grace from Him. I will be your Patroness.” So Nino came to Mtskheta, to the “Garden of Eden”.

After some time, King Mirian III (265-342), on the advice of Saint Nina, decided to build a Christian temple at the site where the Robe of the Lord was kept. The huge cedar that grew on the grave of Sidonia was cut down, and they wanted to use its trunk as the main pillar to support the main dome of the temple, but they could not raise it. All night Saint Nina prayed for Divine help, and she was shown visions in which the historical destinies of Georgia were revealed. At dawn, the Angel of the Lord approached the Pillar and lifted it into the air. The pillar, illuminated by a wonderful light, rose and fell until it stopped above its base, fragrant myrrh flowed from it. The miraculously placed cedar trunk became the basis for the first Christian temple in Georgia, which was named “Svetitskhoveli”, i.e., translated from Georgian, “Life-Giving Pillar”.

That wooden temple has not survived. The current temple in the name of the Twelve Apostles was built from 1010 to 1029. This majestic stone Svetitskhoveli Cathedral is still the main temple of Georgia today. Tsars were crowned and buried here, and the enthronement of the Patriarch takes place here. In our time, the Pillar, at which many healings are performed, has a stone covering, painted with late frescoes. It is crowned with a canopy. At the base of the northern side there is a niche with doors, where there was a place for taking peace (the flow of peace ceased after the invasion of Shah Abbas I at the beginning of the 17th century).

The Robe of the Lord is the greatest shrine of the Georgian Church. Thanks to this shrine, Mtskheta was called the “second Jerusalem”.

The tomb of Saint Nina is located in Bodbe (in Kakheti), at the site of her exploits, in the resting place chosen by her. A convent in the name of St. Nina was later founded here. The relics of the saint were glorified by many healings and miracles. Equal to the Apostles Nina is commemorated on January 27 (14th century), the day of her blessed death.

At the topIcons "Life-Giving Pillar" - deisis: to the right of the Savior is the Mother of God. On the left is “the greatest of those born of women” John the Baptist; further - the archangels Gabriel and Michael, the ecumenical apostles Peter and Paul. Below are saints especially close to the Celestial Church: Apostles Andrew the First-Called and SimonCanaanite, George the Victorious and St. Nicholas.

The apostles Andrew and Simon, according to legend, preached in the territory of modern Georgia and Abkhazia. Vmch. George the Victorious is a brilliant commander who chose the crown of martyrdom instead of earthly glory - the special patron of Georgia and its martyred kings. And this is not surprising, because the historical path of the Georgian Church is a centuries-old path of struggle for Orthodoxy with the pagan and Muslim world, a path of martyrdom.

The iconography of the “Cathedral of the Georgian Church” was compiled by the famous icon painter and historian Mikhail Gobron-Sobinin, who lived at the end of the 19th century. He collected the lives of the saints of Georgia into an extensive collection, which he published in Georgian and Russian and wrote a large book in an academic style. Further, as iconography developed, new, almost contemporary saints were included in it, the artistic style of the image changed, but the meaning and basic idea remained unchanged.

Image , which recently appeared in the Church of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God in Puchkovo, is a copy of a large icon located in the Church of the Great Martyr. St. George the Victorious on Malaya Gruzinskaya Street in Moscow. It is distinguished by the iconographic language of the image, close to ancient Georgian icons, frescoes and miniatures. Another feature is the inclusion of saints close to us in time, such as St. Ekvtime - a remarkable ascetic and scientist who preserved and translated into musical notation many ancient Georgian church chants. We hear some of them with great joy in our church.

In honor of the Chiton of the Lord and the Life-Giving Pillar, the Georgian Church established the festival of Mtskhetoba-Svetitkhovloba - October 14 and July 13.

On November 10 (23), the Georgian Church glorifies the suffering of the holy Great Martyr and Victorious George. On this day, the holy great martyr was subjected to wheeling - a torture not inferior in cruelty to crucifixion. Torture in the pagan world was not only a means of intimidating the people, it was a special form of art. It was kept as a sacred legend by Rome, “New Babylon”, fed by the milk of a wolf, a city that trampled under its boot three parts of the world: Europe, Asia and Africa. The Roman Colosseum, where gladiators fought with lions, where Christians were thrown to be devoured by wild animals, became the heart of the pagan world. There the emperor, priests and commoners met together; They were united by one feeling - pleasure in suffering, thirst for blood. The circus arena was a “garden of torture”, carefully cultivated by the hands of priests, magicians and vestals - virgins dedicated to the demon. The ability to torture and kill people was brought to the level of artistic skill. The executioners were virtuosos of their craft. The new type of torture and death was perceived by the crowd as a brilliant theatrical performance, it was admired as an invention of national importance. The Colosseum, the temple of Satan, exposed the demonic essence of the pagan world. Satan, the great artist whom Christ called a liar and a murderer, opened a theater of death in “New Babylon,” but the blood of the martyrs made the Colosseum a holy place for the Christian world. The blood of Christ has redeemed mankind; the blood of the martyrs, according to Tertulian, “was the seeds of the future rise of the Church.”

The first persecution of Christians began during the time of Nero, the last, tenth, under Diocletian and his successors. He ended the period in the history of the Church called the “era of persecution.” However, the entire history of the Church is a continuous martyrology, written in blood, each page of it is a list of the names of martyrs, known and unknown to the world. This royal, sacred book describes the exploits and torments of St. George the Victorious.

Some icons depict Saint George slaying Diocletian with his spear. This persecutor of Christianity, who combined the immense power of the emperor and the occult powers of the high priest of Rome, was the personification of paganism. Before his death, Saint George prayed that the persecution would end against him, and although it continued for several more years, it was already the agony of the pagan world, the death throes of a defeated beast.

The image of St. George slaying the dragon is a symbol of the victory of the saints of the Christian Church over evil and sin.

If in church hymns Christ is called the Sun, then the holy martyrs are His rays. Every saint is a victory over the devil, the source of sin. Image of Saint George slaying Diocletian. - a symbol of the victory of the Church over its visible opponents, those who fought Christianity with sword and fire, who tried to tear the name of Christ from the chest of the people with the iron hand of the executioner.

Saint George was born in Cappadocia, a mountainous country much like Georgia. The tribes of the ancestors of the Colkhians walked through this area, heading from their ancestral home of Mesopotamia - the cradle of humanity - to the north. Saint George's father held a high position in the Roman army. He openly professed Christianity and suffered martyrdom. After the death of her husband, the mother of Saint George retired to her family estate, located in Palestine, near the city of Lydda. Many nobles sought her hand, but she remained faithful to her martyr husband, just as he was faithful to Christ.

Saint George's childhood passed under the protection of his mother's prayers. In her he saw a high example of a Christian woman, from her he heard stories about his father, whose spirit was not broken by torture and was not frightened by death. Saint George retained his tender love and deep affection for his mother throughout his life. Before his death, he bequeathed that his body be transferred to his mother’s homeland. At a young age, Saint George, following the example of his father, entered the army. A brave and experienced warrior in battles with enemies of the state, he soon received the rank of commander and tribune. Emperor Diocletian brought him closer to himself and loved him like a son. There is information that the emperor wanted to make George his successor. This aroused envy among the courtiers, which they hid for the time being. They hated George, but found no reason to accuse him of anything before the emperor. At the beginning of his reign, Diocletian did not persecute Christians; he allowed them to build temples and hold services. In Nicomedia, at the residence of the emperor, a huge Christian basilica was erected, accommodating up to twenty thousand people. Even among Diocletian's relatives there were Christians.

This emperor is one of the most controversial and tragic characters in the history of Rome. He was the son of a slave - a freedman. Often in the history of Rome, the imperial throne became a scaffold on which kings were erected, as if in order to then, as during the Saturnalia, throw them down onto the spears of warriors. For the Roman patricians, Diocletian, a cheese slave from Illyricum, seemed like Spartacus on the throne of the Julians and Antonievs, descendants of the Trojan kings. Diocletian showed himself to be a skillful ruler. He carried out important reforms in the army and the country, and repelled the onslaught of enemies who were plundering the provinces. He sat on the throne of Rome as firmly as in the saddle of a war horse. This went on for fifteen years. But clouds began to cloud the sky over the empire. One disaster followed another: famine, epidemics, uprisings in the provinces shook the huge state.

The priests told Diocletian that these were signs of the wrath of the gods and the imminent destruction of the empire. They persistently convinced him: it was possible to appease the gods and save the country only at the cost of a huge hecatomb - the destruction of all Christians in the empire. Diocletian, being the high priest, himself considered the greatness and splendor of Rome to be inextricably linked with the pagan religion. The Roman Caesars especially hated Christians because they refused to make sacrifices to them as to earthly deities. Diocletian convened a council of his associates to draw up a plan for the persecution of Christians. It was supposed to begin the persecution suddenly and simultaneously in all regions of the empire. On the night of Christmas in Nicomedia, the blood of the first martyrs was shed. On this night, the capital's temple, crowded with people, was burned. The emperor spoke at a meeting in the palace. He ended his speech with the words: “There should be no Christians.” Then the nobles and generals began to propose various plans for the destruction of Christians. Saint George was with the king. Knowing about the impending persecution, he ordered in advance to release the slaves, sell the property and distribute it to the poor. (He took off the burden of worldly worries and felt like a wanderer on earth).

Rising from his seat, George turned to the emperor with the words:
“Justice should reign over kings, but you are plotting a crime unheard of even among barbarians; instead of doing justice and protecting the people, you want to go to war against your own subjects, who have not committed a crime and have not done you any harm.”

Who taught you to say this? - asked the prefect of the capital.
“Truth,” answered George.
- What is truth? - the prefect repeated Pilate’s words.
- Christ, whom you are going to crucify again.

Today was sunny, but cold and windy. But did it really matter? After all, today was a trip to ancient Mtskheta - the first capital of Orthodox Georgia. It should be noted that Georgia is a country with ancient Christian traditions. According to legend, the light of the faith of Christ in Iberia was kindled at the dawn of the new era by the holy apostles of the twelve, Andrew the First-Called and Simon the Canaanite. Faith was firmly rooted in the fertile Iveron land, which became the inheritance of the Most Holy Lady Theotokos.

By the 4th century, Georgia already had fairly large Christian communities led by bishops. The Georgian Church received autocephaly in 457 from the Mother Church of Antioch.

The Cathedral of Saints adorns the Georgian Church. Among them, the enlightener of Georgia, Saint Equal to the Apostles Nina (+335), is especially revered.

In the Zion Patriarchal Cathedral in honor of the Dormition of the Mother of God in Tbilisi there is the greatest shrine of Georgia - the Cross of St. Nina, made from vine branches tied with her hair. With this Cross she preached the faith of Christ in Georgia.

Orthodox Georgians also sacredly honor the Great Martyr George the Victorious (+303), a relative of Saint Nina. Georgia itself is called Georgia or Georgia in European languages.

Other holy ascetics are also deeply revered in Georgia: St. Shio Mgvimsky (VI century);

Venerable David of Gareji (VI-VII centuries) - one of the founders of Georgian monasticism;

Bishop Joseph of Alaverdi (VI century), who zealously preached the Gospel;

Euthymius of Svyatogorets, a foreign scholar who labored on Mount Athos, - in the Georgian Iveron Monastery he translated books of the Holy Scriptures and liturgical books from Greek into Georgian; holy blessed king David the Renewer (Builder; +1125), an outstanding statesman and cultural figure of Georgia;

Saint Tamara, Queen of Georgia (+1207), who built churches and monasteries, patronized sciences and art, Shota Rustaveli’s poem “The Knight in the Tiger’s Skin” is dedicated to her, and the Georgian people called Saint Tamara the Great.

The current head of the Georgian Church, His Holiness and Beatitude Elijah (Gudushauri-Shiolashvili), was born on January 4, 1933 in the city of Ordzhonikidze (now Vladikavkaz). On August 25, 1963, he was consecrated Bishop of Shemokmed.

The election of His Beatitude Elijah as Primate of the Georgian Orthodox Church took place on December 23, 1977, and the rite of enthronement took place on December 25 of the same year.

Title of the Primate: “His Holiness and Beatitude Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, Archbishop of Mtskheta and Tbilisi.”

The Patriarchal residence is located in Tbilisi. Monasticism is the heart of Orthodoxy, and throughout history it has been no less important for the Georgian Orthodox Church than for other Local Churches. Currently, the Georgian Orthodox Church has 134 monasteries - 72 male and 62 female. Below will be a brief overview of the main Georgian monasteries, whose foundations go back to ancient times. Let's talk about the main ones.

Mtskheta, Georgia. Ancient capital of the Georgian kingdom

The ancient capital of Georgia, Mtskheta, is a holy place for every Georgian. There are no more holy and religious places in all of Georgia as there are in Mtskheta, located 20 km from Tbilisi. For this, the ancient city is called the “Second Jerusalem”. It was here that Saint Nino of Cappadocia brought the good news; here one of the greatest shrines of the Christian world is kept - the Robe of the Lord.

This also explains the status of Mtskheta as a holy city, where Christian pilgrims and tourists from all over the world flock. The main objects that attract tourists and pilgrims: Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, one of the most ancient and revered temples - and the ancient picturesque monastery of Jvari - unique and striking examples of religious architecture of the medieval Caucasus.

Mtskheta is located at the confluence of two mountain rivers - the Aragvi and the Kura on a low river terrace, surrounded by majestic mountain peaks.

The legend about the city says that Mtskheta was founded in ancient times by the legendary king Mtsekhotos, the son of the first king of Kartli, who, having built the city, named it after himself.

The facts of history say that the city was founded in the second half of the 1st millennium BC. That is, almost simultaneously with the creation on the territory of Georgia of the Eastern Georgian Kingdom - Kartli (Iberia), the capital of which was Mtskheta. That is why Mtskheta is rightly called the “cradle of Georgian statehood.”

As the political center of Eastern Georgia, Mtskheta first experienced its heyday during the era of Alexander the Great. The walls of the ancient city withstood the onslaught of Roman legions and Persian warriors.

The capital status belonged to Mtskheta for almost a thousand years, until the end of the 5th century. AD - until King Vakhtang Gorgasali decided to move the capital to Tbilisi. But even after this, Mtskheta remained an important religious center of the country, the residence of the Georgian Catholicos - the heads of the Georgian church.

During the Middle Ages, Mtskheta was a significant urban, trade, craft and religious center. And today Mtskheta continues to be the spiritual center of the country.

Along with Tbilisi and Pitsunda, Mtskheta is the see of the Catholicos - Patriarch of all Georgia.

At the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th centuries. Mtskheta and its surroundings were declared an architectural and historical museum-reserve, included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

The monastery temple of Jvari, immortalized in literature by Mikhail Lermontov (the poem “Mtsyri”), is the oldest religious monument, built at the dawn of Georgian Christianity in the 6th century (585-604).

The temple received its name Jvari (translated from Georgian as “cross”) not by chance. This explains the ancient legend that it was in this place that Nino of Cappadocia erected the Holy Cross, which marked the adoption of Christianity by Georgia. Later, a temple was built over the cross, which was called the Temple of the Holy Cross.

It is noteworthy that first of all, the Small Jvari Temple was built (preserved in ruins near the main temple), and only then the Great Jvari was erected to preserve the relic of the Holy Cross. According to ancient records, until the middle of the 6th century. the cross was open, visible from afar and was an object of worship.

“The pillars of the collapsed gates, and the towers, and the church vault...” - this is how Jvari saw it, and Lermontov sang his praises. Today everything in Jvari remains the same as during the visit of the Russian classic. The collapsed stone walls of the fence with arched entrance openings and the temple itself are majestic and austere.

Its ascetic beauty is expressed in the ideal proportions of the halls and dome, in the purity of strict and straight lines, in the smoothness of the external walls, which do not bear any unnecessary decorative elements, except for the reliefs on the facades. Externally, the temple is a large octagonal drum, covered with a hexagonal dome topped with a cross. There are four corner rooms on both sides of the temple.

The interior space of Jvari is equally harmonious: pure, full-bodied and complete classics enchant with their perfection. The inside of the church is decorated with mosaics, which have survived to this day only in fragments. In the center of the temple you can see the base in which the Holy Cross brought by Nino of Cappadocia was fixed.

Jvari stands at the very edge of a high cliff and miraculously harmonizes with the surrounding harsh, but extremely picturesque nature of this region. Below at the foot, the Kura and Aragvi roar - two of the most famous rivers in Georgia. And opposite there is a vast panorama of Mtskheta. On the windy slopes of Jvari there grows a tree of wishes, on which pilgrims tie ribbons to make wishes.
In 1996, the Jvari monastery resumed its activities.

Visit this wonderful region, breathe in the healing air of the mountains, venerate the unique shrines - and your heart will remain here forever

To be continued. Read our publications.
Your Tatiana Lazarenko

SEPTEMBER

4 Simeon Garejeli, Venerable, Abbot of the David-Gareji Lavra, + 1773
8 John (Maisuradze), + 1957, and John-George (Mkheidze), + 1962, Bethany prpp.
12 George Chkondideli, St., Bishop. Chkondidsky, mtsignobartukhutsesi, + 1118
Dosifei Tbileli, sschmch., metro. Tbilisi, + 1795
13 Ketevan, vmts., Queen of Kakheti, + 1624
15 Joseph Alaverdeli, St., Bishop. Alaverdi, + 570
16 Isaac and Joseph, brothers, martyrs, + 808
18 Bidzina Cholokashvili and brothers, Ksani eristavs Shalva and Elizbar, martyrs, + 1661
25 Arseny I the Great, St., Catholicos of Mtskheta (Kartli), + 887
29 Onufriy (Onesiphorus) Garejeli, St., +1786

1 Svetitskhoveli: remembrance of the bringing of the Robe of the Lord to Georgia, the celebration of the Life-Giving Pillar, the Baptism of Georgia and the erection of the Patriarchal Cathedral of Svetitskhoveli
Abiatar (Aviathar), St. and Sidonia, right., IV century.
Mirian, St. cargo. king (265-342), who baptized Georgia, and his wife St. Queen Nana
Melchizedek I, St. , Catholicos-Patriarch of Georgia, + 1033
2 David and Constantine, princes of Argvet, great martyrs, + 740
4 Evdemon I (Diasamidze), smch., Catholicos-Patriarch of the East. Georgia (Mtskheta), + 1642
5 Gregory Khanzteli (Khandzti), Venerable, founder of the Klardzheti desert and mon-rey of Khandzta and Shatberdi, + 861
Council of Clarjet Saints, Martyrs and Reverend Fathers and Wives, Disciples and Companions of St. Gregory Khanzteli (Khandztii), VIII-IX centuries: Amon (venerable), Andrey (venerable), Anastasia (venerable), Arseny (venerable), another Arseny (venerable), Vasily III of Klardzhetsky, Gabriel (venerable .), George of Zarzm (Zarzmeli), George Merchule (venerable), George Opizeli (venerable, 3rd abbot of the Opiz monastery), Gregory Shatberdeli (venerable), David (venerable), Demetrius (venerable) , Epiphanius the Wonderworker (venerable, rector of the Khandzta Monastery), Ezra (venerable), Zechariah (venerable), Zechariah Anceli (St., Bishop of Anchi, wonderworker), Zinon (venerable), Jacob (venerable) , Hilarion (St., Catholicos of Kartli (Mtskheta)), Hilarion Pareheli (St.), Hilarion Ubiseli (St.), John (martyr), John (St.), Macarius (St.), Macarius Opizeli (St. ), Markel (Markelaos) (St.), Matoi (St.), Mikhail Zarzmeli (St.), Mikhail Pareheli (St.), Nerse Ishkhneli (St.), Pavel (St.), Peter (St.), Savva Ishkhneli (St., Bishop of Ishkhansky), Samuel (St.), Sophrony Shatberdeli (St., renewer of the Shatberdi monastery), Stefan Mtbevari (St., Bishop of Tbet), Temestia (Themestia) (St.), Fevronia (St.), Theodore (St.), Theodore Nedzveli (St.), Khvedios (Khvediy) (St.), Christopher (St.), Shio (St.)
7 Joseph Moheve (Khevsky), St., + 1763
13 Anthony Chkondideli, St., Met. Chkondidisky, + 1815, and his student Jacob Chkondideli, Hierom., St.
16 Zenon Ikaltoeli (Ikaltoisky), Venerable, one of the Syrian fathers, founders of monasticism in Georgia, VI century.
17 Joseph the Wonderworker, St., Catholicos-Patriarch of the East. Georgia (Mtskheta), + 1764/70
19 Nikolai Dvali, martyr, victim in Jerusalem + 1314
26 Alexander (Okropiridze), St., bishop. Gurian-Mingrelian, 1907
28 Neophyte Urbneli, bishop. Urbnissky, St. VII century
29 Serapion Zarzmeli, St., + 900
30 Joatam (Iotam) (Zedgenidze, Zidginidze), martyr, + 1465
31 Cathedral of Tbilisi Martyrs (100 thousand), + 1227/1240

3 Nikolay Mnatobi, prp., +1308
4 John, Stephen and Isaiah Georgians (Jerusalem), rev., + 846
10 Wheeling St. George the Victorious, + 303
Konstanti-Kakhi, book, martyr, + 852
17 Gobron-Mikhail and 133 soldiers who suffered with him, + 914
19 Hilarion the Gruzin (Kartveli), St., + 875
23 Grigory (Peradze), schmch. archim., theologian, + 1942
29 Aviv Nekreseli (Nekressky), Venerable, one of the Syrian fathers, founders of monasticism in Georgia, VI century.
30 Vakhtang Gorgasali, St. king of Kartli, +502
Peter I, St., 1st Catholicos of Kartli (Mtskheta), 5th century.
Samuel I, St. Catholicos of Kartli (Mtskheta), 5th century.

2 Jesse (Iese) Tsilkneli, St., Bishop. Tsilkansky, one of the Syrian fathers, founders of monasticism in Georgia, VI century.
10 Vakhtang III Tavdadebuli (Self-Sacrifice) Tsar-Martyr, + 1302/08
11 Cathedral of Saints of the GOC
12 John Zedazneli, saint martyr, 9th century.
19 George and Savva Khakhuleli (Khakhulsky), brothers, prpp., ser. XI century
21 Macarius Khakhuleli (Fastnik), Venerable, abbot of Khakhuli Monastery, 11th century.
27 Stefan Khirseli (Khirssky), one of the Syrian fathers, founders of monasticism in Georgia, St., VI century.
31 Sabiana, Venerable, Abbess, teacher of the martyr. George and his sister Thekla

2 Georgy Iverieli, martyr. + 1770/1777
3 John Chkondideli, Archbishop. Chkondidsky, + XI century.
Evfimy Takaishvili, right, historian + 1953
4 Shio Mgvimeli and his disciples and associates Evagrius of Shiomgvim and Elijah the Deacon, Venerable, VI century.
8 Abo Tbileli, martyr, VIII century.
14 Nina, St. Equal to the Apostles, Enlightener of Georgia, + 335
15 Salome of Ujarma and Perozhavra of Sivniy, right., IV century.
18 Alexy (Shushaniya), Venerable, Hierom. + 1923
Ephraim Mtsire (Lesser, Philosopher), Venerable, Abbot. Kastansky Monastery, theologian, philologist, XI century.
19 Anthony Martkopeli (Martkopsky), Venerable Stylite, one of the Syrian Fathers, ser. VI century
20 Evfimy (Kereselidze), Spanish, abbot, (in the calendar of the Russian Orthodox Church - January 19), + 1944
25 Gabriel (Kikodze), St., Bishop. Imereti, + 1896
26 David (III) IV Builder (Renewer, Agmashenebeli), St. king of united Georgia, + 1125
29 Ashot Kuropalat, St. king, + 829
31 Tamara (Tamar), St. queen of united Georgia, + 1213

4 Evagrius Mgvimeli (Shiomgvim, Tsikhedi), St., VI century.
6 Arseny Ikaltoeli (Ikaltoisky; Kalipossky), reverend, translator, writer, philosopher, poet, + 1127
7 Solomon II, St., last king of Imereti, + 1815
10 John (Chimchimeli. Philosopher), St., XIII century.
12 Council of Jerusalem Cargoes. venerable fathers and wives who labored in the IV-XVIII centuries. Among them:
Prokhor the Georgian (George Shavteli), St., 11th century.

Nikolay, Dvali. martyr, + 1314
14 Hilarion Gruzin (Kartveli; Athonite; Svyatogorets, New) (Kanchaveli), Venerable, Hieroschemamonk, Athonite elder, + 1864
17 Theodore (Tevdore) of Adjara (Achareli), smch., tortured by the Ottomans on Mount Athos, XVIII-early XIX centuries.
18 Nicholas VIII (Bagrationi), St. Catholicos-Patriarch of the East. Georgia (Mtskheta), + 1589/91
19 Lazian first martyrs: Maximus, Theodotus, Evsukhius (Hesychius), mac. .Asclepiodota, 41 (in Christmastide of the Russian Orthodox Church - 305-311)
22 Colai martyrs, 9 brothers (VI century): Adarnase, Bakar, Bardzim, Guram, Dachi, Juansher, Parsman, Ramaz,

3 John IV (Okropiri), St., Catholicos-Patriarch of all Georgia, + 1001
Martyrs who suffered at Comana in Abkhazia: Eutropius, Cleonikos and Basiliscus, + 308
6 Dosifei (Tsereteli), sschmch. GOC, locum tenens. Zapadnogruz. (Abkhazian) Catholicosate, Metropolitan. Kutaisi, + 1821
10 John Khakhuleli (Khakhulsky), Okropiri (Chrysostom), St., X–XI centuries.
12 Demetrius II Self-Sacrificing (Tavdadebuli), St. Tsar-martyr. united Georgia + 1289
16 Ambrose (Helaya), Spanish, Catholicos-Patriarch of Georgia, + 1927
whether Lezgin prpp. Anthony Mesch and Pimen Salos (Blessed), XIII century.
17 Gabriel Mtsire, priest. prp., + 1802
28 John Mangleli (Saakadze), saint, bishop. Manglissky, + 1751

1 Eulogius the Prophet (Salos, Blessed), blessed, clairvoyant and John Shavteli, Venerable, XII-XIII centuries.
2 George Matskvereli (Shuartkleli), St., Bishop. Atskursky, IX-X centuries.
10 Kvabtakhev martyrs, fathers and wives + 1386
14 Dimitri Kipiani, martyr, cultural and public figure of Georgia, + 1887
15 Dry military and 16 soldiers with him (the so-called Mesukevi martyrs) († 100/130): Andrei (Andria), Anastasius, Victor, Domentian, Zosima, Jacob, Ivkhirion, Jordan, Kondrat, Lucian, Mimnenos, Nerangius, Polyevktos, Falaley (Talale), Theodorit, Phocas.
17 Ephraim the Great (Matskvereli), saint, bishop. Atskur GOC, 9th century.
18 Vasily Ratishvili, St. XIII century
21 Evfimy (Shervashidze), sshmch., metro. Gelati Abkhaz Catholicosate, +1822
29 Lazskie (Papatskie, Dudikvatskie) 300 mlch., victims in Dudiketi and Papati (Turkey), XVII – XVIII centuries.

1 Tamara, St. queen of united Georgia, +1213
Zosim II Kumurdoeli (Kumurdoysky), St., Archbishop. Kumurdoysky, hymnographer, + 1528
3 Mamai, St., Catholicos of Kartli, + 744
Arseny and Mikhail Ulumboeli (Ulumboysky), venerables, 9th century.
7 John Zedazneli (Zedaznisky), founder of monasticism in Georgia, and his disciple Elijah the Deacon, Venerable, VI-VII centuries.
Council of the Syrian Fathers (VI-VII centuries), founders of monasticism in Georgia, followers of St. John Zedazneli (Zedaznisky): Aviv Nekreseli (Nekressky) (venerable), Anthony of Martkop (venerable), David Garejeli (venerable) and his student Lucian Garejeli (venerable), Zenon Ikaltoeli (Ikaltoisky) (venerable), Jesse (Iese) Tsilkneli (Bishop of Tsilkansky) (St.), Joseph Alaverdeli (Bishop of Alaverdi) (St.), Isidore Samtavneli (Samtavissky) (St.), Mikhail Ulumboeli (Ulumboysky) (St.), Pyrrhus (Pyros) Breteli (Bretsky) (St.), Stefan Khirseli (Khirssky) (St.), Thaddeus (Tadeoz, Tata) Stepantsmindeli (Samebeli) (Stepanatsminda, Samebsky) (St.), Shio Mgvimeli (Mgvimsky) (St.).
9 Shio Mgvimeli (Mgvimsky), one of the 12 Syrian fathers, and his student Evagrius of Shiomgvimsky (Tsikhedi), Venerable, VI century.
10 Christopher the Called (Tsodebuli), Blessed, + 1771
13 Euthymius of Svyatogorets (Mtatsmideli, Iver, Athos, New), Venerable, rector of Georgia. Iveron Monastery on Mount Athos, translator of liturgical and patristic books, + 1028
George Svyatogorets (Mtatsmideli; Iver; Athos), Venerable, rector of Georgia. Iveron Monastery on Athos, spirit. writer, philologist, + 1065
Iveron martyrs who suffered on Athos from the Latins, + 1275/ 76 or 1280
15 Pyrrhus (Piros) Breteli (Bretsky) (venerable), one of the Syrian fathers, founders of monasticism in Georgia, VI century.
18 David and Tirichan, martyr youths, and their mother Taginesia (Faginesia), + 693
19 Nina, St. Equal to the Apostles, Enlightener of Georgia (day of her arrival in Georgia), + 335
20 Zebulon and Sosanna, Venerables, Cappadocians, parents of St. equal to Nina, enlightener of Georgia, III - beginning. IV century
Celebration of the Manglis Cross
22 Basilisk, martyr, suffered in Komana in Abkhazia, + 308
23 Mirian, St. cargo. king (265-342), who baptized Georgia, and his wife St. Queen Nana
Damian-Dimitri, Venerable, King of the united Georgia Dimitri I, hymnographer (monastic Damian), +1157
27 Michael Pareheli, Venerable, one of the Syrian fathers, founders of monasticism in Georgia, VI century.
Vasily Bagratisdze, son of King Bagrat III of Georgia, Venerable, church. writer, XI

1 Shio Novy, David Mtsire (Small), Gabriel and Pavel Garejeli (Gareji), martyr., + 1696-1700
2 Stefan Pipersky, pr., 1697
5 Celebration of Mtskheta Jvari
8 Theodore (Tevdore) Kveltsky (Kvelteli), schmch., + 1609

9 John Shavteli, Venerable, XIII century.
12 Isidore Samtavneli (Samtavissky), Venerable, one of the Syrian fathers, founders of monasticism in Georgia, VI century.
John-Tornikiy (Chordvaneli; John Mtatsmideli), Venerable, one of the founders of Georgia. Iveron Monastery on Mount Athos, 10th century.
13 Anthimus of Iveria (Antimoz Iverieli), St., Met. Ugro-Vlachian, +1716
16 Cathedral cargo. Athonite monks
Kaikhosro Kartveli (Georgian) (Cholokashvili), sschmch., + 1612
17 Shalva Akhaltsikhe, martyr, + 1227
18 Mikhail Ulumboeli (Ulumboysky), St., VI century.
21 Archil, St. Tsar-Martyr, + 744 or 761
Luarsab II, St. Tsar-martyr. Kakheti, † 1622
27 George Svyatogorets (Mtatsmideli, Athos, Iver), Venerable, rector of Georgia. Iveron Monastery on Athos, spiritual writer, translator, + 1065
Luke of Jerusalem (Abashidze), St., + 1273/77
Kirion III (Sadzaglishvili), holy martyr, Catholicos-Patriarch of all Georgia, historian, writer, + 1921
30 Dinar, St. Queen of Georgia, 10th century.

2 Celebration in honor of the Robe of the Most Rev. Mother of God
3 George the Recluse (Hermit, God-Bearer), Venerable, + 1068
8 Mirdat III, St. Tsar-martyr. Kartli, + 379
12 Gabriel Mtatsmideli (Svyatogorets, Athonite, Iver), Venerable, Athonite elder, with whose name the story of the discovery of the Iveron Icon of the Most Holy One is connected. Virgin Mary, 10th century
John Mtatsmideli (Svyatogorets, Athos, Iver), Venerable, one of the founders and rector of the cargo. Iveron Monastery on Athos, + approx. 1005/6

18 Kozma (Kosma), St., Hierom., Mtsignobartukhutsesi, + 1630
20 Salome (Salomiya) Gruzinsk, mts., 1272
Ilia Chavchavadze (Righteous), right, cargo. poet and society. activist, fighter for the restoration of autocephaly of the GOC, + 1907
24 Hilarion Tvaleli, St., XI century.
28 St. George the Builder (Mtatsmideli, Athos), Venerable, rector of Georgia. Iveron Monastery on Athos, + approx. 1029/30
29 Evstafiy Mtskheteli (Mtskheta), martyr, + 589
30 Tsotne Dadiani, eristav, martyr, leader of the uprising against the Mongols, XIII century,
31 Arseny Ninotsmindeli (Ninotsminda), saint, translator, calligrapher, + 1018

3 Razhden, first martyr of the GOC, + 457
Council of Marabda warrior-martyrs (9 or 10 thousand) who died in the battle against Iran. Shah Abbas II, among them: the bishops of Rustavi and Kharchashni, commander Teimuraz Mukhranbatoni, standard bearers - 9 Kherkheulidze brothers, their mother and sister, 9 Machabeli brothers and 7 Cholokashvili brothers, +1625
8 Euthymius the Much-Troubled (Garejeli, Natlismtsemeli; Mchedelashvili), Venerable, Archimandrite, Abbot of St. John the Baptist Monastery in Gareji, hymnographer, + ca. 1804
12 Council of Davidgareji Martyrs: Hierom. Gerontius and Serapion, hierodeacon. Otar and Simeon, mon. Vissarion and German, successor Mikhail Garejeli (Gareji), prmchch., killed by Lek (Lezghin) tribes, 1851
14 Council of New Martyrs who suffered during the repressions, among them: Hieromartyrs Metropolitan. Kutaisi-Gaenatsky Nazariy (Lezhava), priests German (Dzhadzhanidze) and Hierotheus (Nikoladze), archimandrite. Simeon (Mchedlidze), protodiac. Vissarion (Kukhianidze) (+1924).
16 Christopher Gurieli (Guruli), St., XVI century.
17 Tbeli Abuseridze, right, church. activist, hymnographer, hagiographer, 13th century.
18 Christodoulus the Philosopher, St., XII century.
21 Thaddeus (Tadeoz, Tata) Stepantsmideli, Samebeli (Stepanatsminda, Sameb), Venerable, one of the Syrian fathers, founders of monasticism in Georgia, VI century.
Sarmean, St., Catholicos of Kartli, + 779
24 Serapion Garejeli (Natlismtsemeli), St., + 1740
28 Shushanik, mts., + 475

Prepared by N.T.-M. according to the Orthodox calendar of the Georgian Orthodox Church for 2008 (Tbilisi, 2007)