FROM THE HISTORY OF NIKHOZI Cover Image

ნიქოზის ისტორიიდან
FROM THE HISTORY OF NIKHOZI

Author(s): Giorgi Sosiashvili, Ioseb Alimbarashvili
Subject(s): Cultural history, Comparative history, Local History / Microhistory, Social history, Modern Age, Socio-Economic Research
Published by: სსიპ-გორის სახელმწიფო უნივერსიტეტი
Keywords: Antiquities of Zemo and Kvemo Nikozi; lapidary inscriptions; epitaphs; population; Pavelishvilis’; Daniel Nikozeli; Father of the Cross (Jvaris Mama);

Summary/Abstract: The article examines the political and socio-economic history of the two villages Kvemo and Zemo Nikozi near the occupation line in Shida Kartli, in particular, population dynamics, ethnic and religious composition, village antiquities, fortifications, material and spiritual monuments, lapidary inscriptions and epitaphs. Nikozi's relationship with the Monastery of the Cross in Jerusalem. Nikozi is one of the oldest villages in Georgia. The temple of the deity was built here by Vakhtang Gorgasali as early as the 5th century and also established an episcopate. Razhden the First Martyr was buried here. There is a legend that in the temple of the deity of Nikozi there lies a cross of the righteous (length 4 inches), which was sent as a gift to Vakhtang Gorgasali by the Patriarch of Jerusalem. The cross-bearing box also had an inscription stating that it had been brought from Jerusalem. According to the inscription, chasse was rebuilt King Tamar's daughter Rusudan (made a silver nest for the cross). According to the same legend, the cross was kept in the temple until 1791 and was lost in 1799 during the reign of Atanase Nikozeli. For this, Atanase of Nikozi was removed by Giorgi XII from the Nicozi church and exiled him to the Udabno (Monastery). After the death of Giorgi XII, David Batonishvili restored Atanase as Bishop of Nikozi. The Diocese of Nikozi had a very close relationship with the Monastery of the Cross in Jerusalem. According to documentary sources, the Bishops of Nicosia also presided over the Monastery of the Cross. During the second half of the XV century, the relationship of the Diocese of Nikozi with the Monastery of the Cross in Jerusalem became even more active after the appointment of Bishop Daniel of Nikozi as “Jvaris Mama” (Father of the Cross). “Agapi” (funeral repast) was established in the Jvari Monastery in the name of Daniel Nikozeli.

  • Issue Year: 2021
  • Issue No: 6
  • Page Range: 48-100
  • Page Count: 53
  • Language: Georgian