This large single nave church with a projecting apse is located in the village of Nezghuni, within the Lenjeri community. Built at the end of the 9th century, its interior features mural paintings from different periods: the chancel decoration date from the 9th–10th centuries and are among the earliest surviving examples of mural painting in Upper Svaneti, while the nave murals belong to the second half of the 12th century.
The chancel paintings include a composition of the Theophany of the Lord (Christ in Glory), rendered in a distinct iconographic variant. This theme, with various modifications, was widespread throughout the Christian East and in Georgian mural art as well. The unique feature of the Nezghuni composition is the depiction of the Mother of God in the Odigitria type as a half-figure within a medallion at the center of the Apostles' row—replacing the more traditional full-standing Virgin figure. This variation emphasizes the doctrine of the Incarnation within the context of the Theophany and underlines the dual nature of Christ, in line with prevailing spiritual currents in Georgia at the time.
In addition to its artistic value, the chancel murals are especially significant for their accompanying extensive donor inscription, which provides rare information about both the patron and the painter—an uncommon occurrence in Georgian medieval mural art. The inscription reads:
"In the name of God and by the grace of the Holy Savior, I, Beshken, commissioned this holy sanctuary with my own bread and wealth, as a prayer for myself and in memory of my parents, by the hand of Giorgi... in the month of May. Amen."
The nave paintings of Nezghuni Church belong to the circle of Mikel Maghlakeli, and they reflect the characteristic artistic methods and principles seen in his known works. Of particular interest is an unusual iconographic rendering of the Myrrh-bearing Women at Christ’s Tomb, which includes the figure of the Virgin Mary—a motif with no known parallels so far. This emphasizes the role of the Virgin Mary in the resurrection narrative and is believed to be based on the writings of St. Maximus the Confessor about the life of the Virgin.
Useful information
| Location | In Latali, near the central road |
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| The Key Holder | For admission contact Father Basil (Philhani) |
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