Gergeti Trinity Church
 | This article includes alist of references,related reading,orexternal links,but its sources remain unclear because it lacksinline citations.(July 2023) |
Gergeti Trinity Church(Georgian:გერგეტის სამების ეკლესია-Gergetis Samebis eklesia) is a popular name for Holy Trinity Church near the village ofStepantsmindainGeorgia.The church is situated on the right bank of the river Chkheri (the left tributary of the riverTerek), at an elevation of 2,170 metres (7,120 ft), underMount Kazbek.
History
[edit]The Gergeti Trinity Church was built in the 14th century by an unknown architect, and is the only cross-cupola church inKheviprovince. The separate belltower dates from the same period as the church itself, but built somewhat later. Its isolated location on top of a steep mountain surrounded by the vastness of nature has made it a symbol for Georgia. The 18th century Georgian authorVakhushti Batonishviliwrote that in times of danger, precious relics fromMtskheta,includingSaint Nino's Crosswere brought here for safekeeping. During theSoviet era,all religious services were prohibited, but the church remained a popular tourist destination. The church is now an active establishment of theGeorgian Orthodox and Apostolic Church.
The church is a popular waypoint fortrekkersin the area, and can be reached by a steep 1.5-hour climb up the mountain.
Architecture
[edit]The church ensemble includes the church itself, the belltower and the surrounding wall. The church is across-in-squaretemple with three rectangular and one rounded (containing theapse) arms, and two entrances, from the south and from the west. Each arm has a window. Additional five windows of thetholobateprovide sufficient illumination. The tholobate is rather stumpy, slightly narrowing in the upper part. The facade is clad in dark-grey stone. Only traces of the original murals remain.
The outside decorations can essentially be found only around the doors and windows. The northern wall is the most simply decorated one: short-armed cross above and rounded ornamented stones below the narrow window. The southern wall, in addition to the cross, has ornamented quadrangles and an arch above the window. The western wall is rather similar, but with simple ornamentation of the window. Rather complex composition is found on the eastern wall. Its window has a quadrangular frame and a large cross above it. The cross itself has quadrangles at the base of each arm. In addition to the central window, there is a rounded window to left and a square window to the right. Both southern and westernportalshave rich decorations around the doors: theastragal,ornamented stripe,rosettesand quadrangles. Each of the ten windows of the dome also has an arch frame, made of astragal.
The belltower, standing to the south of the church, consists of abelfryon a cubic base, which also contains the entrance to the church ensemble. The walls have various small ornaments, as well as a figure of an unknown person on the western side.
References
[edit]- Rosen, Roger.Georgia: A Sovereign Country of the Caucasus.Odyssey Publications: Hong Kong, 1999.ISBN962-217-748-4