Icons

 

Transfiguration Icon of Zarzma

From the antiquities of Zarzma that have reached us, Transfiguration icon is the most ancient (Georgian State Museum of Arts). Legend in capital letters give exact date-“…Indiction  Q˜ F“ meaning 886. What is more important, “this icon represents a fundamental, benchmark monument for understanding sculptural evolution in Georgian embossing arts of middle ages” (G. Chubinashvili)

 

 

 

 

Our Lady Icon of Zarzma

Our Lady Icon of Zarzma (Georgian State Museum of Arts) is one of the splendid examples of Georgian gold-work of the middle ages. It is featured with its artistic value, mastership, richness and peculiarities of iconographic attributes. 

 

In January 19, 2008, During the Epiphany Festival, Mr. Davit Chkoidze was visiting Zarzma monastery with his friends. They contributed big silver cross, galvanized, with the scenes of the twelve holidays on it.

Later, having familiarized with the history of the monastery, an idea of making replicas of main treasures (Transfiguration Icon of Zarzma and Our Lady Icon of Zarzma) came up. Hence, with the blessing and grace of God, implementation of this great idea was started in 2008 with the participation of Davit Chkoidze, Revaz Lezhava, Davit Takidze, Zurab Chkoidze, Paata Devdariani, Fridon Liparteliani, Giorgi Mnatobishvili, Irakli Tordia, Giorgi Lomidze, Temur Japaridze. Galvanization was done by Joseph Kabzinadze, Revaz Khazalia, Eka Kakhashvili. The icons were completed in September 2009. Later, with the support of Mr. Ghia Marsagishvili, the icons were moved to the Museum and placed beside the original icons for 20 days, where prayers were served for parish after which they were moved back to Zarzma monastery from Adigeni municipality on October 10, 2009. The procession was accompanied by parish. Afterwards, Theodore-Metropolitan of Akhaltsikhe and Tao-Klarjeti served prayer and made a sermon on the significance of the icons, expressed his belief that the grace of the icons would reunite Georgia, mentioned the value of the work the people who participated in the creation of icons had done and blessed them and their families. This was bliss for everyone, especially for the brethren of the monastery and they were eager to convey it. The names of the contributors will be written in golden letters in the history of the monastery. God bless bondmaids and bond maidens of God-Revaz Lezhava, David Takidze, Davit Chkoidze, Zurab Chkoidze, Revaz Khazalia, Paata Devdariani, Fridon Liparteliani, Giorgi Mnatobishvili, Irakli Tordia, Ioseb Kabzinadze, GIorgi Lomidze, Temur Japaridze and Eka Kakhishvili. Let God heed the monumental contribution they have made, let God grant them graceful salvation, Let these saints shield them in all their kind work, let these saints lead them till the doors of the Kingdom of Heavens. Let God and Mother Mary bring them joy in this land and in heaven, let these people be flocked under God’s care eternally.