arshba.ru

10th century

Medieval Lapidary Inscriptions of Western Georgia and Abkhazia — a collection of epigraphic monuments from the 10th–14th centuries, recorded on the walls of churches, icons, chalices, and other ecclesiastical objects in the territory of Western Georgia and Abkhazia. The inscriptions are written in the Georgian language in the Asomtavruli script and contain information about ruling dynasties, church hierarchs, and temple builders. The main sources: V. I. Silogava's corpus of Georgian lapidary inscriptions, works by D. Bakradze, S. M. Ashkhatsava, and other researchers.


957 AD. Inscription on the icon of the Theotokos from Khoni Monastery.

Text: Most Holy Mother of God intercedes before Christ for the house of King Leon.

Inscription in Asomtavruli. Not earlier than 957. The year of Leon III's enthronement in Abkhazia (approximately 957-967); Khoni is a regional center (near Kutaisi). Leon III also erected the Kumurdo Church in the Akhalkalaki district, as evidenced by the ancient inscription on the church wall.

Source: Paths of development of Abkhazian history. S.M. Ashkhatsava. 1926

999 AD. Inscription on a golden chalice from Bedia Monastery.

Text: Holy Mother of God, be an intercessor before your son for the Abkhazian king Bagrat and his mother Queen Gurandukht, who donated this chalice, adorned this altar, and built this holy church.

Source: D. Bakradze. The Caucasus in the ancient monuments of Christianity. — In: Society of Archaeology Lovers, book I. Tiflis, 1875, p. 39.

End of the 10th century. Inscription on the wall of Bedia Monastery.

Text: Holy Mother of God, assist Simon Galatozukhutsesi, builder of this holy temple.

Source: V.I. Silogava. Corpus of Georgian lapidary inscriptions, book II. Inscriptions of Western Georgia (4th-13th centuries). Tb., 1980, pp. 38, 199.

1066 AD. Inscription on the wall of Bedia Monastery.

Text: Christ, you are the blessed God and Lord of all that exists. This happened from the creation of the world in the year 6699, in chronicle 286 [1066], during the reign of Bagrat, son of George... In the month of April, a star appeared, from the depths of which [rays emanated], rising before it, like a holy radiance... This happened on Palm Sunday before the full moon.

Source: F. Jordania. Chronicles, vol. 1. Tiflis, 1892, p. 210, in Georgian.

11th century. Inscription on the ruins of Anukhva Church.

Text: In the name of God, I, George Basilisdze, in the name of God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, erected this cross. From now on, whoever worships it, remember us three brothers in prayer. Amen.

Source: V.I. Silogava. Op. cit., pp. 65, 203.

11th century. Inscription on Besleti Bridge.

Text: Christ, Lord, magnify in every way in both lives.

Source: Z. Anchabadze, G. Dzidzaria. Eternal, indestructible friendship, p. 31.

11th century. Inscription on the ruins of Samata Church.

Text: This is the King of the Jews. The Crucifixion of Christ.

Source: V.I. Silogava. Op. cit., pp. 109, 210.

11th century. Inscriptions (fragments) on the walls of Tskelikara Church.

Text: This altar I[...] erected [...] Saint George, have mercy [...] Saint George of Mtskelikara, intercede before God for your servant [...] in the day of Judgment.

Source: V.I. Silogava. Op. cit., pp. 153, 218.

11th century. Inscription on the altar screen slab (Tsebelda).

Text: Saint Theodore, have mercy on Michael.

Source: V.I. Silogava. Op. cit., pp. 127, 213.

11th century. Dikhazurg inscription.

Text: Gregory — galatozukhutsesi, may God have mercy, amen.

Source: V.I. Silogava. Op. cit., pp. 83, 206.

11th century. Inscription (fragment) on Gumurishi Church.

Text: Lord, have mercy on the builder of this church, Deopali Sagdukht, daughter of Niania, amen.

Source: V.I. Silogava. Op. cit., pp. 127, 213.

12th century. Inscription from Tskelikara Church.

Text: Saint George, have mercy on R~sh, intercede for him before Christ.

Source: V.I. Silogava. Op. cit., pp. 154, 218.

1178 AD. Inscription on Khvapskaya Church.

Text: This holy church was built by the high priest [...], during the reign of George, when [...] was born. Saint Nicholas, intercede for him before Christ.

Source: V.I. Silogava. Op. cit., pp. 142, 216.

12th century. Anukhva inscription on a table.

Text: Holy Archangels Michael and Gabriel.

Source: V.I. Silogava. Op. cit., pp. 143, 216.

12th century. Mokva inscription.

Text: All-Holy Theotokos, be a companion and protector of Gregory, Michael Madzgnisdze.

Source: V.I. Silogava. Op. cit., pp. 147, 217.

1259 AD. Inscription on the Ilori icon.

Text: Saint George of Ilori, magnify and establish in both kingdoms the strong and invincible, God-crowned king of kings David, son of Rusudani, by whose command this icon of the Ilori Great Martyr was minted.

Source: Kh.S. Bgazhba. Works, book 1, p. 13.

12th century. Inscriptions on Ilori Church.

Text: Saint George of Ilori, have mercy on Galatoz [...] Saint George, have mercy on [...] George [...] Saint George of Ilori, have mercy on George Gurgenisdze. Saint George, have mercy on priest George Kocholva. Saint George, be my protector on that great day of judgment.

Source: V.I. Silogava. Op. cit., pp. 159-161, 219.

Bedia inscription from the second half of the 13th century.

Text: God have mercy on the soul of the builder of this, Nicholas the Catholicos, and Sophron Gonglibais-dze. God have mercy.

Source: V.I. Silogava. Op. cit., pp. 173, 221.

13th century. Inscription on fragments of a metal tombstone in the church in the village of Poltavskoye.

Text: I founded this tomb for my soul and for my brothers Elijah... O holy apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ, accept this donation from me, the eristavi and sakhtlukhutsesi Abolasani, son of Job.

Source: P.S. Uvarova. Christian monuments of the Caucasus — Materials on the archaeology of the Caucasus, vol. IV, 1894, pp. 28, 29.

1327 AD. Bedia inscription.

Text: May God magnify the king of kings Constantine, son of David, amen.

Source: V.I. Silogava. Op. cit., pp. 176, 222.

14th century. Chlou inscription on a stone.

Text: Eristava of eristavas Mandaturt ukhutsesi Dadiani [...] Have mercy, God.

Source: V.Kh. Bgazhba. From the history of writing in Abkhazia. Tb., 1967, pp. 24-25.

Sources:

Ethnogenesis of the Abkhazians. D.A. Arshba, 2015