Kashveti Church

The Kashveti Church of St. George (Georgian: ქაშვეთის წმინდა გიორგის სახელობის ტაძარი) is a Georgian Orthodox Church in central Tbilisi, located across from the Parliament building on Rustaveli Avenue.

Kashveti Church
ქაშვეთის ტაძარი
Religion
Affiliation	Georgian Orthodox Church
Location
Location	9, Rustaveli Avenue, Tbilisi, Georgia
Shown within Tbilisi Show map of Tbilisi Kashveti Church (Georgia) Show map of Georgia
Geographic coordinates	41.697954°N 44.799324°E / 41.697954; 44.799324
Architecture
Architect(s)	L. Bilfeldt
Type	Church
Style	Georgian Cross-Dome
Completed	1910; 114 years ago (1910)
Materials	stone
Website
www.kvashveti.ge
Cultural Heritage Monument of Georgia
Official name	Kashueti Church
Designated	October 1, 2007; 17 years ago (2007-10-01)
Reference no.	643
Item Number in Cultural Heritage Portal	4229
Date of entry in the registry	October 11, 2007; 17 years ago (2007-10-11)

The Kashveti church was constructed between 1904 and 1910 by the architect Leopold Bilfeldt, who based his design on the medieval Samtavisi Cathedral. The construction was sponsored by the Georgian nobility and bourgeoisie. Kashveti was built on the site of a damaged church built of brick at the request of the Amilakhvari family in 1753. Significant contributions to the current church's ornate design were made by N. Agladze. Kashveti's frescoes were painted by the influential Georgian painter, Lado Gudiashvili, in 1947.

The name "kashveti" is derived from Georgian words kva for a "stone" and shva "to give birth." Legend has it the prominent 6th century monk David of Gareja of the Thirteen Assyrian Fathers was accused by a woman of making her a pregnant in Tbilisi. David prophesied his denial would be proved when she gave birth to a stone. She did, and the place received the name of "kashveti".

Burials

• Ivane Amilakhvari
• Grigol Orbeliani
• David Sarajishvili

References

• Beridze, V. "Kashveti." Georgian Soviet Encyclopedia. Vol. 10, Tbilisi, 1986, pp. 495