ქართული ეკლესიები კვიპროსზე

Abstract

The main purpose of our expedition was to study methochions of Gialia/ Galia monastery. Accordingly, we have studied two churches – one the Church of St. George of Alaminos and the other – also the Church of St. George in Saphtades. The ruins of St. George Church in Alaminos (14th-16th cc) are situated in the southern part of Cyprus; Walls and floor were damaged and covered by mortar and marble stone, which were used also as grave walls; the interior of the church was covered by a wall painting, in altar, apse stood the church table based on a cylindrical column. Graves of the 14th-16th cc were situated around and inside of the St. George Church. Archaeological excavations on the Cyprus Island, in the village Sophtades, were carried out in 2017-19, within the grant of Shota Rustaveli national science Foundation (Code of the project- HE-17 43). Sophtades Church is located 14 km S-E from Alaminos Church, on the top of a small hill. Archaeological excavations over three seasons have revealed a threenave basilica built in the sixth century and rebuilt several times. The last stage of the Church’s existence in the 14th and 15th centuries corresponds to the activity of Georgian clergy here. In addition to Byzantine artifacts (clay and glass vessels, coins), Cypriot-geometric pottery has also been found.