Holy Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi

The idea to build a new cathedral to commemorate 1,500 years of autocephaly of the Georgian Orthodox Church and 2,000 years from the birth of Jesus arose in 1989, a crucial year for the national awakening of the then-Soviet republic of Georgia. The construction of the church was proclaimed as a symbol of the Georgian national and spiritual revival.

Designed in a traditional Georgian style but with a greater vertical emphasis, and regarded as an eyesore by many people, it is equally venerated by as many others The cathedral has a cruciform plan with a dome over a crossing resting on eight columns. At the same time, the parameters of the dome is independent from the apses, imparting a more monumental look to the dome and the church in general. The dome is surmounted by a 7.5 meter tall gilded gold cross.

The cathedral consists of nine chapels (chapels of the Archangels, John the Baptist, Saint Nino, Saint George, Saint Nicholas, the Twelve Apostles, and All Saints). The Sameba complex, the construction of which is already completed, consists of the main cathedral church, a free-standing bell-tower, the residence of the Patriarch, a monastery, a clerical seminary and theological academy, several workshops, places for rest, etc. The floor is made of marble tiles and the altar is decorated with mosaic. 

The workmanship includes richly decorated mosaics and icons of Georgian faith. Its carved arches and towers can be seen from anywhere in the city. Sameba is a synthesis of traditional styles dominating the Georgian church architecture at various stages in history and has some Byzantine undertones. 

Holy Trinity Cathedral, commonly known as Sameba is the main cathedral of the Georgian Orthodox Church located in Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia. It is the third-tallest Eastern Orthodox cathedral in the world and one of the largest religious buildings in the world by total area. It can accommodate 10,000 people.

Commonly known as Tsminda Sameba, the imposing Holy Trinity cathedral sits on St. Elija’s hill in Tbilisi. A symbol of the country’s independence, it was completed in 2001.