Nekresi Monastery

Nekresi - Monastery Complex and urban archaeology is located in Kakheti, in Kvareli municipality, near Shilda village, on the edge of the Caucasus Range.

History

Founded by King Pharnajom (II-I centuries BC). In the IV century AD, king Thrdat built a church on this place, where one of the Assyrian fathers, Abibus settled there in the VI century. On this time period Nekresi Episcopacy (existed until the XIX century) established. Nekresi immediately was given a great importance. The political and cultural influence of Kartli was spread over the mountainous region of Eastern Caucasus. The Eparchy of Nekresi Episcopacy was included not only Gaghmamkhari but also part of Dagestan (Didoeti). Cultural and educational activities were unleashed there. Bishops of Nekresi (Dositeos Cherkezishvili, Zakaria Mikadze, XVIII c., The Poet-diacon Moses, XIX c.) took part in writing activities as well.

Legend about Nekresi

Georgian nation and Christians have always used sheep, cows, and birds during sacrifices.

While expressing gratitude in this way, they never used the pig (boar). This ritual is still exist in the Nekresi Monastery. This fact is based on one of the folk traditions:

During the invasion of Muslim tatars, the peaceful population fled in the mountains and fought against the brutal invaders. Most of the people was sheltering Nekresi Monastery. The invaders surrounded Nekresi. When Georgians understood that there were no help for them, they applied to an interesting way. They also had their property in the monastery, including pigs. Georgian people made pigs starving and after they attack the enemy, but Tatars hate pigs and they immediately leave the territory of Nekresi. Since then, the pig sacrifice became a custom and it is still continues.