A village church whose name breaks into two words: mama and Daviti. Mama is Georgian for father, and in church usage it is a form of address to a monk or a venerable saint. So Mamadaviti means father David. Most likely this refers to David of Gareji, one of the thirteen Assyrian Fathers whose name is carried by dozens of churches across the country, but there is no direct indication of that David and we do not present the reading as established fact.
Ruispiri lies in the Alazani valley north-west of Telavi, among vineyards. Besides Mamadaviti there is a church of Saint Nicholas and one of Saint Tevdore here, and by neighbouring Karajala stands a hall church of the Mother of God. All four make a short half-day circuit. The century of building is not established.
The church is in use, but there are no regular services, so a Sunday morning is the surer time to come. Dress modestly, women wear a headscarf.
💡 Tip
- A village church named Mamadaviti, that is father David
- The Alazani valley north-west of Telavi, among vineyards
- Three more churches nearby: Saint Nicholas, Saint Tevdore and a hall church of the Mother of God
🚗 Getting there
- Landmark - the village of Ruispiri north-west of Telavi, in the valley among vineyards
- The Build Route button will show the exact way
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