Construction Site

Mtkvari by Metekhi 5

Churches

Another view of Tbilisi's many churches.

Faithful

Two women making their devotions at the entrance to Holy Trinity Cathedral

Sioni Cathedral

The outside of the Sioni Cathdral, one of Tbilisi's most important orthodox churches.

Cross

A cross on top of the bell tower of the Kari Church of St George in Kashveli Street.

Upper Betlemi Church

The top of the tower and decorative cross of the Upper Betlemi Church which stands beneath the Narikala Fortress.

Churches

Tbilisi is a city of churches, many of them tightly packed into the old town. In this view the church on the right is Sioni Cathedral, formerly the seat of the Patriarch of the Georgian Orthodox Church. The tower at the bottom of the picture belongs to the Jvarismama church. The large church to its left is the Norashen church. This was originally an Armenian church but is currently closed - and crumbling - because of a dispute between the Georgian church and the Armenian church over ownership. The city's only synagogue and only mosque are both located within a few hundred yards of this group of churches.

Metekhi

The Metekhi church originally dates from the thirteenth century, though it has been reconstructed many times since. It is one of the most prominent churches in the city standing on this cliff above the Mtkvari River. The smaller church by the river bank is dedicated to Saint Abo, patron saint of Tbilisi, who was martyred in the eighth century and his body thrown into the river at this spot. The equestrian statue is of Vakhtang Gorgasali, the fifth century king who tradition identifies as the founder of Tbilisi.

Candle

A worshipper lights a candle before an icon in the Jvari Church in Mtskheta.

In Step

This mother and daughter were walking down the path from the Jvari Monastery, near Mtskheta.

Sioni Cathedral Interior

Aview looking up into the dome of the Cathedral.

Sameba Holy Trinity Cathedral

One last image of the Cathedral showing the detail of the roof over the dome with the roof of a smaller church standing before it. To me there is a nice contrast of the simplicity of the foreground structure and the grandeur of the Cathedral itself.

Sameba Holy Trinity Cathedral Interior

A view into the main dome of the Cathdral. Most churches in the city don't have this degree of natural lighting. The many windows and the position of the Cathedral, which dominates the neighbourhood, create a very different atmosphere.

Sameba Holy Trinity Cathedral

The approach to the main entrance of the Cathedral gives an idea of its scale and setting.

Sameba Holy Trinity Cathedral Interior

Unlike many of Tbilisi's churches the interior of the Cathedral is bright and airy - bright enough to take pictures. Most of the churches are small, with few windows, the only light coming from candles burning before icons. It makes for a beautiful, atmospheric space but it also makes it very difficult to take pictures.

Sameba Holy Trinity Cathedral

Sameba Cathedral stands on a hill overlooking central Tbilisi. It was consecrated in 2005 and is the largest religious building in Georgia and the Caucasus.

Anchiskhati Church

The Anchiskhati church is the oldest church in Tbilisi dating back to the sixth century, though it has been rebuilt many times since. We passed by one Saturday evening while there was a service going on and listened to the beautiful singing while admiring the icons glinting and shimmering in the light of many candles.

Broom

There are two churches in Shavteli Street. The Anchiskhati Church is the oldest in the city, dating from the sixth century. A little farther along is the Kari St George Church. The churches are always open and there are always women in head scarves in attendance cleaning and sweeping and polishing. This broom was standing against the wall of the bell tower of the Kari Church.

Metekhi Church

The Metekhi Church stands on a hill overlooking the Mtkvari river. The church was originally built in the 13th century, though it has been damaged and restored many times since.