The Andrew Apostle
was the first to bring the Christian faith to Georgia in the 1st c. A.D. during
his wondering through the lands east of the Black Sea. The Simon Apostle of Cana
also preached in this region, a little further to the north near Sebastopolis,
the present-day Sokhumi. His grave is to be found about 2.5 miles north near
Nicopsia, the present New Athons. St.Nino brought the Christian faith to eastern
Georgia in the 4th c. Instructed by a revelation in a dream to preach the
Gospel, she came from Cappadocia to eastern Georgia with a grapevine cross in
hand, which was tied with her hair. In 334 A.D., thanks to St.Nino's activities
Christianity became the official religion of Georgia.
Processional cross. 973
It was not occasional that
St.Nino had used a grapevine as the material for her cross, which became the
most popular variety of a cross in Georgia. While the grapevine appears as the
personification of Jesus Christ in the Christian tradition, it has always been
of special importance to Georgians as the main culture grown throughout the
country. Our ancestors knew more than 400 species of grapevine. Winemaking
has always been up to standard. Just two methods of winemaking are recognized
internationally: European and Kakhetian (province in Georgia) methods.
Grapevine had taken an additional meaning as a mainstay of culture. Its motif is traced in chased icons, church ornamentation, miniatures decorating manuscripts.
Grapevine had taken an additional meaning as a mainstay of culture. Its motif is traced in chased icons, church ornamentation, miniatures decorating manuscripts.
Relief with the grapewine motif.
Svetitskhoveli Cathedral. XI c
Svetitskhoveli Cathedral. XI c
