Frequently Asked Questions Sign In  |  Register
Lashari Cross
Mtsketa Mtianeti

Lashari Cross house of worship is located in Down Pshavi, in the upper body of river Aragvi, on the right bank, rather far from resident area, between districts of Khoshara and Tsitelaurta, on the so called Khmelgori, or Lashari Gori, and occupies the space of 0.75 hectares. The territory of the worship is surrounded by a stone fence in the grove. Not far from the fence is Lashari worship site – a construction with a dome buttressed on four columns built with basalt and roofed with tin plate.

Joint house of worship for 12 main districts of Pshavi is placed here – a warrior deity Lashari and deity of cure and reproduction - queen Tamar Akim. The cult of Lashari besides Pshavi was also spread in Tusheti, Khevsureti and among adjacent districts of valley and North Caucasus mountain residents. Lashari Cross was considered one of the richest deities which owned many donated treasures (including those of Georgian kings), estates, vineyards in Kakheti. As Vakhushti Bagrationi conveys, Lashari Cross was founded by the king of Georgia, Giorgi Lasha (1210-1223). However functionally, by linguistic and ethnographic data, Lashari was a heathen deity which merged with the cult of Messiah’s Sword, a liberator, commander of troops.

The rite of Lasharoba begins with stabbing of sacrificed calves (this is a direct function of Khevisberi – the Elder in the gorge), after that follow prayers. New Year congratulators dance Perkhuli. In the evening worshippers go to the bank of Aragvi where they continue their binge the whole night. Next morning they climb to the Icon of Queen Tamar.

In front of Lashari Cross, on the summit of a forest mountain, stands the Icon of Queen Tamar surrounded by a fence. Inside the fence is a holy grove – its abuse means a bane to oneself. To the east of the fence a slope is smoothed and supported by a stone levee. From the levee protrude benches for worshippers. To the south of the fence there is a stone house for banners of archpriests, there are also clay vats with church wine. A house for distilling beer stands by. There are 2 belfries within the fence: one is made of stone and plastered with lime, with a dome, with two huge bells hanging. The second is made of wood. Near the entrance gate in the fence icons are placed and an altar is fixed.

Klio Publishing House

www.klio.ge

© 2011-2017, TRAVEL IN GEORGIA.