International congress of byzantine studies belgrade, 22 27 august 2016

Irene Giviashvili
 
George Chubinashvili National Research Centre
for Georgian Art History and Heritage Preservation, Tbilisi, Georgia;
[e-mail]
Khakhuli Icon and Building of the Regency
David IV Bagrationi (1089–1125) transferred Khakhuli Icon from Khakhuli monastery to his 
newly established monastery Gelati. 
What was the reason of transferring exactly the Khakhuli Icon is a question. 
Khakuli icon is a triptych of the Mother of God Icon and is one of the largest enamel works 
of the Byzantine world. The gilded frames and wings made of floral and geometric ornamentation 
includes a large number of enamel icons, reliquaries of Georgian and Byzantine work. Originally Icon 
was created in the 10
th
c and was in the Church of Khakuli Monastery, built by the King David III 
Curopalates (+1001) in the Southern region of Tao, the central place of Georgian Kingdom at that 
time. 
David IV, inherited nation ravaged by Seljuk Turks. The King only had power over the western 
and small parts of central Georgia. The capital city Tbilisi was under Arab control, and Kutaisi, 
second largest city was where the King ruled. The kingdom was going under turmoil inside and 
outside of the borders. However, Davit IV managed to change course of his country. Before he started 
construction of Gelati Monastery, Davit already put the country through numerous successful 
reforms. The state, the army, and the church were fully reformed and the Georgian Kingdom was 
economically and politically uprising. With the effective military expeditions, Davit managed to 
unify Georgian lands including the capital city of Tbilisi. Furthermore, he liberated Armenia and 
Albania from the Muslim control. Davit IV broke away from Byzantine shadow by declining the 
royal titles in favor of the Georgian ones. Georgia was transformed into an influential kingdom. 
Surrounded by Islamic nations, Davit promoted himself as a Christian leader in the region. To 
legitimize his ideals Davit founded a new monastery, regarded as “the second Jerusalem and another 
Athens” and was “much superior to all previously constructed”.
Gelati is built outside of Kutaisi on an evaluated hill. Church is dedicated to St Virgin Merry 
and “filled it with holy things, relics of the saints, holy images and holy vessels that were totally 
glorious.” But the most valuable gift to the church was the Khakhuli Icon.
According to the recorded will, Davit IV gifted the church a piece of True cross. King Demetre 
I (r. 1125-54) who owned this relic was responsible for the embellishment of the Khahuli Icon with 
the gilded silver wings that was indicated in the inscription on the lower bands of the icon.

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