Mtatsminda Father David Church

St. David of Mtatsminda Church

St. David of Mtatsminda Church dates back to the 19th century. The first church on the site of the present-day church was built as early as the late 6th century and is associated with Saint David of Gareja, one of the Assyrian Fathers. On the eastern slope of Mtatsminda, he carved a small cell into the rock with his own hands, where he lived in solitude and prayed. After he left the area, the people named the mountain “Mamadaviti” in honour of the saint, and a church was later built on the site.

The name “Mtatsminda” was given to the mountain in the 10th century, when Georgian monks from Mount Athos restored the monastery, which had fallen into ruin by that time. The church was also rebuilt in 1542. At the beginning of the 19th century, a new church was built on the site with donations from the residents of Tbilisi.

Construction of the present Mamadaviti Church began in 1859 and was completed in 1871. The church was consecrated in honour of Saint David of Gareja.

At the time, the autocephaly of the Georgian Orthodox Church had been abolished, and the Church was administered by a Russian Exarch. This is why the wall paintings may at first glance appear non-Georgian in character. However, upon closer examination, it becomes clear that, rather than biblical scenes, a significant part of the church is devoted to depictions of Georgian saints. This clearly reflects the intention of the church’s ktetors to introduce a sense of national identity into the paintings.

Near the church are the cell of Saint David and a spring believed to possess healing properties.