Jvari (monastery)

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Jvari Monastery

Jvari or Jvari Monastery (Georgian: ჯვარი, ჯვრის მონასტერი) is a Georgian Orthodox monastery of the 6th century near Mtskheta (World Heritage site), Mtskheta-Mtianeti region, eastern Georgia. The name is translated as the Monastery of the Cross. For another, Jerusalem-located Georgian monastery with the same name, see Monastery of the Cross.

[edit] History

Plan of the monastery

According to traditional accounts, it was here in the early 4th century that Saint Nino, a female evangelist credited with converting the country to Christianity, stayed here to pray and erected a cross on Mtskheta’s highest hill.

Cross Monastery

The first church of smaller size was erected here c. 545 and named as the Small Church of Jvari. A second and larger church, named the Great Church of Jvari, was built nearby between A.D. 586 and 605. The Great Church is representative of the tetraconch architectural type that was popular not only in Georgia, but the whole region of South Caucasus. It served as a model for many other churches in the country. Unusual and varied relief sculptures decorate its façades. The importance of Jvari complex increased over time and attracted many pilgrims. The Great Church is still used for major celebrations, and part of St. Nino’s cross remains visible to this day.

Over the centuries the Jvari buildings have suffered damage from erosion and inadequate maintenance and is now listed among the 100 most endangered sites.