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 cathedral takes its name from a phrase meaning life-giving pillar, reflecting beliefs about a sacred column that once stood here. Visitors today see clergy and pilgrims moving through the interior during services and feast days, when the building becomes a center of prayer.
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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