Tsminda Sameba (Holy Trinity Cathedral)

Tsminda Sameba is the largest Orthodox Cathedral in Tbilisi, considered one of the symbols of the new Georgia. The majestic temple rises to a height of 101 meters, and its golden dome is visible from anywhere in the city. The name of the temple means “Holy Trinity” in Georgian. Up to 15,000 worshippers can pray here at a time.

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Video: Tsminda Sameba

Contents

Highlights

Tsminda Sameba has the status of a cathedral and has 13 consecrated thrones, with the lower church dedicated to the Annunciation of Our Lady. Tsminda Sameba is the tallest cathedral in the territory of Georgia. Before it appeared, the status of the tallest Georgian temple was held by Kakheti’s Alaverdi Cathedral, which is 50 meters high.

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In 2004, the temple was consecrated by the head of the Georgian Church Ilia II. The solemn ceremony was attended not only by local bishops and clerics: representatives of the Orthodox Church from Russia, America, Serbia, Romania, Cyprus, Poland, Albania and other countries of the world came to the celebration.

The Orthodox cathedral is built with great scope – the total area of the building reaches up to 5000 m². The upper temple rises 65 meters and the height of the superdome cross is 7.5 meters. The building is 77 m wide and 65 m long. The temple complex includes the residence of Ilia II and a men’s monastery. It includes a spiritual academy and seminary, a hotel and 9 chapels, five of which are located at a depth of 13 meters. The bells for them were cast in Germany, and the weight of the largest bell reaches 8.2 tons. In addition to the chapels, a museum and a conference hall are housed underground.

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For visitors, the Tsminda Sameba Cathedral is open daily from 9.00 to 20.00. Entrance to it is free.

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History of the construction of Tsminda Sameba Cathedral

The construction of the new temple was originally planned for 1989, when Georgia was going to celebrate the 2000th anniversary of Christianity and the 1500th anniversary of the Georgian Church. The country held a competition of architectural projects, the winner of which was Archil Mindiashvili.

The money for the construction was raised by ordinary citizens and big businessmen. For various reasons the construction of the Tsminda Sameba Cathedral was postponed until 1995. During the laying of the foundation all religious canons were observed. Ancient gold coins, earth from the tomb of St. George and from the city of Jerusalem were put in the foundation of the future temple. Here also placed stones brought from the shores of the Jordan and the slopes of the sacred Mount Zion.

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The first church service in Tsminda Sameba was held in 2002, when construction work was not yet completed. Two years later, the rite of consecration was held in the temple. Then the chair of the Catholicos was moved here, which until then was located in one of the oldest temples in Tbilisi – Sioni.

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Unfortunately, during the construction of the cathedral there was an interethnic conflict. It was caused by the fact that on the site of construction there was a memorial cemetery of Armenians “Khojivank”. When the builders started digging a hole for the foundation, they discovered human remains. They were not reburied according to the rites, and this disrespect caused protests from Armenian residents and Armenians living in Georgia.

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Features of the architecture and interior decoration

Although the Tsminda Sameba Cathedral is designed in the traditions of modernism, externally it resembles the ancient temples of Georgia. On the facades you can see graceful arches and unique carvings. The floors are covered with beautiful marble slabs and mosaics. Near the altar lies a large handwritten Bible, made by modern artists.

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Amiran Golidze and other iconographers painted the walls of the cathedral with colorful frescoes. Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia Ilia II also participated in the decoration of the cathedral. He personally painted several icons for the cathedral and created an image of the Mother of God, which today adorns the entrance to the temple.

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How to get there

Tsminda Sameba rises on the left bank of the Kura River. The cathedral can be reached by buses #91 and #122. Travelers can also reach the temple on foot from the Avlabari metro station.