Pages: 317-324

In this article the early Christian monuments and archaeological sites of Abkhazia are presented. The spread of Christianity in eastern Black Sea coast, notable in Abkhazia was partly due to the fact that this region served as an asylum to first Christians persecuted by the Roman Empire. Today we know of about 26 fourth to eight century architectural monuments discovered in Abkhazia. Among these, the earliest and most valuable site is Bichvinta (old Pitiunt), where the existence of a strong organized Christian community, which dates to the late third — beginning of the fourth century, can be observed. This is also proven by archaeological finds. From the sixth century onward, intensive ecclesiastic building activities spread throughout all Abkhazia, including its costal area, inland and mountainous regions. Examples of Christian relief sculpture discovered here are linked with these progressing building activity. The article also presents some archaeological data shedding light on the early Christian communities in the region.

Keywords: Early Christianity, Eastern Black Sea coast, Abkhazia, West Georgia, Early Christian Monuments

Information about author:

Irma Berdzenishvili (Tbilisi, Georgia). Candidate of historical sciences. Archeological Research Center of the Georgian National Museum.
E-mail: [email protected]