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'''Davidgareja Monastery Complex''' is located in the
Kakheti region of Eastern
Georgia, on the half-desert slopes of mount '''Gareja'''. The complex was founded in the
6th century by thirteen Syrian monks. One of them, by the name '''David''', settled in a natural cave of mount Gareja. David (
St. David Garejeli) was builder of the first monastery ('''Lavra''') of the complex. Later David's disciples ''Dodo'' and ''Lukiane'' founded two monasteries '''Dodo's Rka''' and '''Natlismtsemeli'''.
Outstanding Georgian public figure of the
9th century Ilarion Kartveli (''Ilarion the Georgian'') greatly contributed to the development of this monastery complex. Later, it was supported by the son of the King of
Georgia David the Builder (1089-1125), '''Demetre''' (
Demetre I), the author of the famous Georgian religious hymn "'''Shen Khar Venakhi'''" ("''Thou Art a Vineyard''").
In the
11th century the Davidgareja monastery complex was invaded by
Seljuk Turks.
In the
11th-
13th centuries the economic and cultural development of Davidgareja reached its highest phase. New monasteries '''Udabno''', '''Bertubani''' and '''Chichkhituri''' were built, the old ones were enlarged and well organized.
The renaissance of fresco painting chronologically coincides with the general development of the life in the Davidgareja monasteries. The high artistic skill of Davidgareja frescoes made them an indispensable part of world treasure.
In the
13th century the Davidgareja monastery complex was invaded by
Mongols. Davidgareja monasteries revived only a century later.
In
1615 numerous hords of
Persians led by
Shah-Abbas anniliated all the monks, set fire to all unique manuscripts and important works of Georgian and world art.
At the end of the
17th century was revived the the monastery life in Davidgareja. It was put to practice with the help of
Onopre Machutadze. He was appointed Father Superior of Davidgareja in
1690.
In
1801 the Kingdom of
Kartl-Kakheti (Eastern Georgia) was occupied by the Tsarist
Russian Empire. In
1811 was abolished the
Autocephaly of the
Georgian Orthodox and Apostolic Church. In
1811-
1917 Davidgareja was uninhabited. In
1921 the
Democratic Republic of Georgia (1918-1921) was occupied by the Bolshevik Russia. In
1922-
1980s Davidgareja was also uninhabited. Since restoration of the state independence of Georgia in
1991 was revived the monastery life in Davidgareja.
''Adapted from the
Wikinfo article
Davidgareja by Levan Urushadze, licensed under the
GNU Free Documentation License.''
