Holy Trinity Church of Katsareti (Khashmi) (Region of Kakheti)
Holy Trinity Church of Katsareti (Khashmi)(Georgian: კაწარეთის (ხაშმის ) სამების ეკლესია) – An important monument of old Georgian architecture and one of the oldest temples in Georgia. In fact, it is the second oldest Georgian church, after Bolnisi Sioni. The basilica was erected at the turn of the V and VI centuries and immediately became the cathedral center of the Katsareti diocese formed around the same time.n It is assumed that in ancient times there was a center of pagan religion of local tribes. Under the care of the Kakhetian princes and kings of Georgia, the church was rebuilt more than once.
Katsareti was first mentioned in the Georgian chronicle “Conversion of Kartli”(Georgian: ქართლის ცხოვრება). According to legend, here the enlightener of Georgians St. Nino (Georgian: წმინდა ნინო), converted local princes and their subjects to Christianity . It is believed that the old church of Katsareti was built on the place where Nino erected the holy cross. Despite the restorations, the basilica has retained much from the first version of the structure. Now it is an active nunnery of the Holy Trinity. The church is surrounded by a stone wall adjacent to the residential tower. Inside the wall there is the Bishop’s House, the Bell Tower and the Marani.
Khashmi village (Georgian: სოფელი ხაშმი), Sagarejo Municipality (Georgian: საგარეჯოს მუნიციპალიტეტი).