Location: Zarzma, Samtskhe-Javakheti Map
Found: 8th century by the monk Serapion
Zarzma Monastery is located in Zarzma, Samtskhe-Javakheti region of Georgia. Zarzma Monastery was found in 8th century by the monk Serapion. A local noble man Giorgi Chorchaneli was responsible in donating large sums of money and estate for the construction. We have little information about earlier life of this religious community. Much of the buildings you see today date back to the 14th century when the buildings of the complex were reconstructed with a help of a Jaqeli family. Some of portraits of its members are depicted on frescoes among icons of saints. Today Zarzma Monastery is an active monastery. Small community of monks live here. They are most famous for the distinct Georgian singing that you won't hear anywhere else. It is open to the public, but have respect for the religious traditions. Long sleeves and pants are a preferred choice.
Zarzma Monastery is located in a wooded valley of
the Kwabliani River, 8 km west of the village of Adigeni, 30 km
west of the city of Akhaltsikhe. The dominant architectural
complex is the domed church with a bell tower, one of the
largest in Georgia.
The earliest church on this site was probably built in the 8th
century by the monk Serapion Zarmzsky, which is described in the
hagiographical composition of Vasily Zarzmsky “Life and
Asceticism of the God-Blessed Blessed Father of our Serapion
Zarzmeli” dated to the 10th century. According to this source,
Prince George Chorchaneli made significant donations to the
monastery. However, the surviving structure dates from the
beginning of the XIV century (the old temple was supposedly
destroyed by an earthquake in the XIII century). Its
construction was carried out during the reign in Samtskhe Beki
Mandaturtuhutsesi. All that has been preserved from the former
monastery is a Georgian inscription from the late 10th century
inserted into the entrance arch of the chapel. The inscription
reports on military assistance provided by the Georgian nobility
to the Byzantine emperor Vasily II in his struggle against the
rebellious general Bardas Skler in 979 [3]. In 1544, the new
patron saints of the monastery - the family of the princes
Khurtsidze - restored it.
The facades of the church are richly decorated, and the interior
is painted with frescoes. In addition to the religious cycles of
wall paintings, there is a series of portraits of the 14th
century Yageli family, as well as historical figures of the 16th
century. Later, after the Ottoman conquest of the area later in
the XVI century, the monastery was abandoned and was in poor
condition.
At the end of the 19th century, on the initiative of Grand Duke
George Alexandrovich, the restoration of the monastery complex
began, which ended in 1905 (this is indicated in the inscription
on the temple wall) [1]. At the same time, however, some unique
elements of the decor were lost.
In 1921, a tourist base was located in the monastery, and since
1938 a museum operated. In 1989, Catholicos-Patriarch of All
Georgia Ilia II consecrated the main temple, and in 1999 the
monastery was re-formed.
Currently, the monastery is functioning, a community of Georgian
monks lives in it. It is also a place of pilgrimage and tourism.
Ahali Zarzma
A small copy of the Zarzma church, known as Akhali-Zarzma (“New
Zarzma”), is located in the same municipality, not far from
Abastumani. Its founder was Grand Duke George Alexandrovich. The
Tbilisi architect Otto Jacob Simons, built the church in
1899-1902, combining medieval Georgian architecture with modern
architectural forms. The interior was decorated with paintings
by Russian artist Mikhail Nesterov.