The name joins the roots vake, plain, and jvari, cross: the cross on the plain. The toponym is probably older than the church itself and remembers some conspicuous cross that stood here earlier.
Such names in Georgia often prove older than the buildings that carry them: first a cross was set on the spot, then a church grew beside it and took the name. The village lies in the foothills east of Ozurgeti, among the same hills that hold Okroskedi and Zeda Bakhvi.
Among the Gurian village churches this is one of the best known in the area: people come here from beyond their own village. No dating has become attached to the building. Dress soberly, women bring a headscarf.
π Of interest
- A village church known by the name Vakijvari
- The foothills east of Ozurgeti, Guria
- Vake means plain and jvari means cross
π Getting there
- Landmark: the foothills east of Ozurgeti; approached by a village road
- A route is built with the Build Route button
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