Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, Orthodox cathedral in Mtskheta, Georgia.
Svetitskhoveli is an Eastern Orthodox cathedral in Mtskheta, situated about twenty kilometers northwest of Tbilisi. The building follows a cross-in-square plan and has a dome with sixteen openings that allow natural light into the interior.
The current structure was completed in 1029 under architect Arsukisdze, replacing earlier buildings from the fourth century. King Mirian III had the first church built here after Christianity became the state religion.
The name combines sveti, "pillar", and tskhoveli, "life-giving", after the seventh column said to have risen and healed the sick. An icon of that event is on the third column left of the entrance, showing Sidonia's body at a cedar stump, an angel lifting the column, Saint Nino, King Mirian and Queen Nana. The cathedral is the seat where the Catholicos-Patriarchs of Georgia are enthroned.
Wheelchair access is available, and the interior is open to visitors during daytime hours. The tombs of Georgian kings lie within the church space and are visible to those entering.
Local tradition holds that a cedar tree once grew here, connected to the burial of Sidonia, who reportedly held a robe of Christ. The tree was later cut down to make room for a pillar used in the church construction.
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