Ateni Sioni Church

Ateni Sioni Church is a 7th-century Georgian architectural monument dedicated to the Assumption of Mary. It is located in historical Shida Kartli on the northern slope of the Trialeti Range, in 10 kilometers from Gori. Architecturally, Ateni Sioni resembles Jvari of Mtskheta, which is evident from the organization of the interior, external architecture, and artistic decisions. Ateni Sioni is a stone tetraconch church. Erected on a large substructure, Jvari is the architectural model for Ateni Sioni church, which has four niches with individual apses. There are cylindrical niches between the four apses, which are open to the central space via cased openings. Archeological excavations under the central part of the 7th-century church revealed remains of an older church and a burial ground with a clay sarcophagus (4th–5th century). The original church dates back to the 5th century. One of the church’s frescoes depicts one of the miracles of David of Gareji. The fresco has the signature of the author, Todosaki. Most frescoes belong to the end of the 10th century. Archeologists studied the inscription of Todosaki and determined its creation on the church's facade around the 10th century or later. Another inscription revealed that restoration works in Ateni Sioni took place between 982 and 986. From these facts, archeologists determined that Todosaki only headed the restoration works of the church and was not its constructor.

The wall paintings of Ateni Sioni reflect national traits (religious themes, frescoes of Georgian kings, and local feudal lords). These frescos display artistic imagination; their characters have graceful plasticity that demonstrate artistic vision.

Amiranashvili dated these paintings by 906. However, R. Schmerling thought they belonged to the second half of the 11th century, while T. Virsaladze provides 1067–1086 as approximate dates. The latter made this conclusion because the frescos depict Ktetor (ktitior) Giorgi Mtsignobartukhutsesi (Grand Chancellor), co-author of David the Builder’s political program. The second Ktetor is young David the Builder. There is a depiction of Bagrat IV for his contributions to the construction of cities. The next Ktetor is Sumbat Davitis Dze (depicted with the young prince), who ruled Ateni. Lastly, there are depictions of Giorgi II and his wife. The fact that members of the Baghvashi family (who controlled Trialeti Pass and the Ateni region) were not in the row of Ktetors indicated that the fresco was made around 1094, when David IV captured Liparit Baghvashi and exiled him to Greece.

Literature: Abramishvili G., Atenis Sionis Saqtitoro Warwera, «Dzeglis Megobari», 1969, № 19; Virsaladze T., Atenis Sionis Mxatvrobis Dtarighebisa da Ktitorta Portretebis Identifikaciis Sakitkhisatvis, «Kartuli Khelovneba», 1991, № 10-a; Абрамишвили Г., Два строительных периода Атенского Сиона, «Matsne». Ist., Arqeol., Etnogr. da Khelovn. Istoriis Seria, 1972, № 1; Амиранашвили Ш. Я., История грузинской монументальной живописи, т. 1, Тб., 1957; Чубинашвили Г. Н., Памятники типа „Джвари“. Исследование по истории грузинского искусства, Тб., 1948.

G. Abramishvili

V. Beridze