Zugdidi Cathedral, Eastern Orthodox cathedral in Zugdidi, Georgia.
Zugdidi Cathedral is an Orthodox place of worship standing adjacent to the Dadiani Palace with traditional Georgian ecclesiastical design and decorative elements. The structure showcases detailed ornamentation and religious artwork that characterize Georgian sacred buildings.
Built in stone in the Georgian style between 1825 and 1830 under Levan V Dadiani, the cathedral was funded by Russian emperor Alexander I. He also returned a copy of the Vlacherna icon of the Mother of God, which Princess Nino of Samegrelo had presented to him in 1805 and which he had richly adorned. The icon, linked to Constantinople's protection, was carried to Samegrelo in the 1710s by Giorgi Gurieli.
The cathedral functions as the primary place of worship for the local community, where regular services and religious celebrations take place. Visitors can observe how Orthodox traditions shape the spiritual rhythm of daily life in this region.
The cathedral stands in central Zugdidi, next to the Dadiani Palace and its museum. The main church festival, Vlakeroba, falls on 15 July (new style), when the Virgin's robe is brought into the church and many pilgrims arrive. On that day the building is crowded and access may be restricted.
The cathedral holds four large gilded-riza icons, one of which commemorates the placing of the Virgin's belt, celebrated on 13 September (new style). The belt itself is no longer with the Vlacherna icon: Ekvtime Takaishvili noted it was already missing before the relics were evacuated to Paris.
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