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Description

Location: Tbilisi Georgia

The Metekhi Virgin Mary Assumption Church or Metekhi Church is a Georgian Orthodox church located on the left bank of the Mtkvari (Kura) river, on Metekhi Cliff, in Avlabari neighbourhood, opposite the old town of Tbilisi. Legend attributes construction of the church to the King Vakhtang I Gorgasali in the 5th century, who erected it as his court church, or to his son Dachi in the 6th century, although neither archeological nor written evidence exist about this. The same tradition places the tomb of St. Shushanik into the church sacristy. But no studies confirmed that yet. Some 19th century authors even mention exact year, 455, when the church was founded by Vakhtang I.

The name "Metekhi" was first time mentioned in the Georgian medieval chronicles Kartlis Tskhovreba in connection with suppression of the rebellion against King Demetre I in 1132 (or 1145), and execution of Eristavi Ivane Abuletisdze, who was buried in "Metekhi". It is though unclear, which particular church is mentioned. Except for Tbilisi, a church of Assumption is also found in a small village named Metekhi.

The second mention is concerned with The Battle of Shamkor in 1195 (or 1200), when Queen Tamar, after sending troops, "...took off her shoes and arrived barefeet to the Church of Assumption in Metekhi".

Metekhi Church was destroyed in 1235 during the invasion of the Mongols, and rebuilt some time between 1278 and 1289, under the reign of Demetrius II.

The third mention in The Georgian Chronicles tells that "The king... built a monastery in Isani Palace for the Virgin Mary of Metekhi." Isani was the original name of a neighbourhood on left bank of Mtkvari River on high cliff that hosted royal palace, and thus this is the earliest clear mention of presence of monastery in Tbilisi on Metekhi Cliff.

It was part of the royal fortress, whose fortifications were destroyed in 1937.

In the Soviet era, the church was used as a theater but was returned to worship in 1988.

Description

Location: Tbilisi Georgia

The Metekhi Virgin Mary Assumption Church or Metekhi Church is a Georgian Orthodox church located on the left bank of the Mtkvari (Kura) river, on Metekhi Cliff, in Avlabari neighbourhood, opposite the old town of Tbilisi. Legend attributes construction of the church to the King Vakhtang I Gorgasali in the 5th century, who erected it as his court church, or to his son Dachi in the 6th century, although neither archeological nor written evidence exist about this. The same tradition places the tomb of St. Shushanik into the church sacristy. But no studies confirmed that yet. Some 19th century authors even mention exact year, 455, when the church was founded by Vakhtang I.

The name "Metekhi" was first time mentioned in the Georgian medieval chronicles Kartlis Tskhovreba in connection with suppression of the rebellion against King Demetre I in 1132 (or 1145), and execution of Eristavi Ivane Abuletisdze, who was buried in "Metekhi". It is though unclear, which particular church is mentioned. Except for Tbilisi, a church of Assumption is also found in a small village named Metekhi.

The second mention is concerned with The Battle of Shamkor in 1195 (or 1200), when Queen Tamar, after sending troops, "...took off her shoes and arrived barefeet to the Church of Assumption in Metekhi".

Metekhi Church was destroyed in 1235 during the invasion of the Mongols, and rebuilt some time between 1278 and 1289, under the reign of Demetrius II.

The third mention in The Georgian Chronicles tells that "The king... built a monastery in Isani Palace for the Virgin Mary of Metekhi." Isani was the original name of a neighbourhood on left bank of Mtkvari River on high cliff that hosted royal palace, and thus this is the earliest clear mention of presence of monastery in Tbilisi on Metekhi Cliff.

It was part of the royal fortress, whose fortifications were destroyed in 1937.

In the Soviet era, the church was used as a theater but was returned to worship in 1988.