The Holy Trinity Cathedral

 In 1989 a brand new era began in Georgian history and exactly at this time a competition for the project of the Holy Trinity Cathedral was announced, blessed by the Patriarch of Georgia - Ilia the II. The winner was an architect Archil Mindiashvili. The cathedral, which was later named as the construction of the millennium, was built in the name of 2000 anniversary of the birth of Christ.

The cathedral was initially planned to be built in Vake District, nearby the University campus, but it was finally erected on the Elijah Mountain. According to the project, the Holy Trinity Cathedral comprises: a cathedral, a chapel, Patriarch’s residence, fathers’ monastery, Christian seminary and academy, hotels and different necessary building dispersed on the land of 11hectares. March 3, 1996 on the Day of Orthodox Christianity Patriarch of Georgia, elders from different eparchies, priests and believers from all over Tbilisi walked up on the Elijah Mountain, lighted up a candle and threw stones with their names inscribed in the foundation of the cathedral. Numerous holy goods were also went with those stones: a stone from the Sioni Mountain, where Moses received the Ten Commandments from God; a stone from the river Jordan, where the Christ was baptized; a stone from Nathareth, where Virgin Mary rejoiced the birth of Christ; one from Sioni of Jerusalem, where Virgin Mary is buried; land from Jerusalem’s Georgian Monastery of Jvari, from Adjara, Gonio, which was trespassed by Andrew the First and is the burial of the Disciple Matatha; from Javakheti, Faravani Lake, which was trespassed by Saint Nino; from Svetitskhoveli, the burial of Christ’s Gown; Mtskheta Samtavro Monastery, where Saint Nino resided; from Motsameta, the cemetery of Saint David and Constantine; from Abkhazia, Saint Vasiliko’s Komani Water; from the Saba Ganmtsmendeli Monastery of Jerusalem; from Cappadocia, Saint Nino’s, Saint George’s and Saint Basil the Great birth place; from Abkhazia, Svimon Kananeli’s grave; from Saint George’s grave; from the Elion Mountain of Jerusalem; from the grave of Saint Maxim in Lechkhumi; from Golgoti; from the Tabori Mountain, a stone with naturally inscribed cross from the Gudamakari region; from the Sioni Cathedral; from the Bagrati Temple of Kutaisi; from the Royal Fortress of Geguti; from the Gelati Monastery; from the grave of Anthon Martkofeli and a piece of the Bagrationi Royal Chair from Svetitskhoveli. According to the ancient tradition, priests threw golden coins in the foundation. Also, Patriarch and the President of Georgia at the time put in two tiles. “Holy Trinity, please bless, fortify and unify all of Georgia and our church. I beg you; make this cathedral and Georgia your kingdom, and our nation your flock, Amin! A modest slave of God, Ilia the II, the Patriarch of Georgia” – reads the inscription on one of those tiles.

The cathedral consists of underground and over ground parts. The underground comprises five churches and the latter – four. The Holy Trinity Cathedral unifies churches of the Archangels, Saint John, Saint Nino, Saint George, Saint Nicholas, Twelve Disciples and the Church of All Saints. This is the biggest cathedral Georgia has ever seen. It occupies 102 square meters (137 including the vestibule.) It is equipped with the newest communication, electro, heating and ventilation technologies. The height of the Holy Trinity Cathedral is 77 meters, including 7.5m long cross on top. Underground part counts 13m height, 70m length and 64m width. The cathedral is also exclusive with its internal and external decorations and unique architecture, combining ancient - cross-domed and more contemporary - central-domed architectural styles. It is the dominant building on the Left Riverside, offering at Eastern view at the Father David’s Church of Mtatsminda. The cathedral has three entrances and can easily hold 10 000 prayers.

Nine bells of the cathedral were specially made in Germany. They have the original Georgian sound of both, mechanical and electric regimes. The biggest of these bells weights 8200 kg. It rings Georgian music, created by the composer Nodar Mamisashvili.

The Cathedral is being painted by artist Amiran Goglidze. He and his crew will adorn it according to all the ancient fresco-painting traditions that Georgia has established. The concept of the paintings on the Holy Trinity Cathedral is coordinated by specially gathered group of art critics.

Elijah Mountain was once occupied by the church of Ilia the Foreteller. In 1998 a small wooden church was built here to commemorate the saint. The architect was young David Svanidze. He was supported by Archil Mindiashvili – the architect of the Holy Trinity Cathedral. Unfortunately, the church suffered a fire, but is now replaced by the temple of iron and concrete.

Georgians celebrated the first Christmas of the third millennium in the Holy Trinity Cathedral. December 6, 2003 a 7,5m high golden cross was erected on the top of the cathedral. It weight 2 tons and was being made of non-rusting metals and bronze during a year. The cross was blessed in the yard of Tbilisi Patriarch’s Residence on the previous day by the Patriarch of Georgia Ilia the II, Father Daniel (Dathuashvili) of Saint Sioni priesthood, Father Isaia (Chanturia) from Nikoz-Tskhinvali Church and Father Saba (Gigiberia) from Khoni. After the blessing it was carried to the Holy Trinity Cathedral yard guided by carols sang by local Christians.

Ertguleba Charity Fund contributed a good deal to the building of the cathedral and presented it with a Feast Stone.