Ancient Churches of Abkhazia: Mokvi, Ilori and Dranda

Mokvi is located 17 km from the town of Ochamchire, on the banks of the Mokvistskali River, in the territory of Abkhazia, currently occupied by Russia.

The Mokvi Cathedral was built by order of the Abkhazian King Leon I11 (967-975). The cathedral is a synthesis of styles: a three-aisled basilica and a domed church. The side naves contain chapels. The church had a rich library, notably the Mokvi Gospel (1301), which is currently housed in the repository of the National Center of Manuscripts of Georgia.

The Dranda Episcopal Cathedral is located 18 km southeast of Sukhumi, on the right bank of the Kodori River, on an elevated plateau in the village of Dranda, in Abkhazia, currently occupied by Russia. This cathedral dates back to the 7th-8th centuries. Its architectural layout is considered a variant of the Mtskheta Jvari Cathedral, combining Byzantine elements. The cathedral was repeatedly damaged during the Turkish occupation (17th-18th centuries), and the frescoes from the 13th-14th centuries were completely erased. Between 1880 and 1883, the cathedral was restored, and a monastery was subsequently established there, which existed until 1921. In 1978, repair and restoration work was carried out in Dranda, the goal of which was to restore the cathedral to its original appearance.

The Ilori Church of St. George is the most important place of worship in western Georgia. It is located 3 kilometers from the town of Ochamchire, in Abkhazia, currently occupied by Russia. This monument, dating from the first quarter of the 11th century, is a single-nave structure with annexes on the northern, southern, and western sides. Inscriptions have been preserved on the eastern façade. In the Middle Ages, the church was part of the Odishi Samtavro. In the 17th century, it was renovated by Levan II Dadiani. In 1736, the church was burned by the Turks. In the 1840s, a thorough restoration was carried out. Nearby are the ruins of an early medieval fortress.

Festivals in honor of St. George (Georgoba) were held in Ilori. The ritual was performed by the clergy of Odishi. A bull with a mark on its forehead, miraculously sent by Saint George, was sacrificed, and its meat was distributed to pilgrims. Pieces of the meat were kept for protection against evil and misfortune. In ancient times, a deer was sacrificed instead of a bull, which, according to legend, would appear at the temple.