The church is dedicated to the apostle John. In Georgian his name sounds here as makharobeli, that is bearer of good news: it is one of two Georgian designations of the same apostle, the other, ghvtismetqveli, matching the English Theologian. The difference is purely linguistic; the saint is one.
Lalisquri stands in the foothills of the Akhmeta municipality, between Akhmeta and Telavi, above the Alazani plain. The church is in the upper part of the village, among the yards. To the north, on a rise, lies the second revered site of Lalisquri, a natakhtari bound by tradition to Queen Tamar.
The village is lively and getting into the church is usually easy, though there is no fixed schedule of services. The usual rules apply: covered shoulders and knees, quiet inside. The streets in the upper village climb, and in winter they can be slippery, so steady footwear is better.
📜 Of interest
- A working village church dedicated to the apostle John
- The upper part of Lalisquri, foothills between Akhmeta and Telavi
- Makharobeli and ghvtismetqveli are two Georgian names for one apostle
🚗 Getting there
- Landmark: Lalisquri village, Akhmeta municipality; about nineteen kilometres to Telavi
- The navigator opens with the Build Route button
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