“The history of the Elevation of the Cross Church began in 2000 when, by the initiative of Archpriest Archil Mindiashvili, and with the support of the St. Peter and Paul church parish in Tbilisi, the foundation was laid for constructing the Elevation of the Cross Church at 14 Fanaskertel-Tsitsishvili Street. At that time, the land on which the church stands was owned by a kindergarten. Its director, Darejan Sokhadze, generously donated the land to the church for the construction of the Complex.

In 2003, intensive worship began at the Elevation of the Holy Cross Church, and on December 22, 2006, the church was consecrated by Metropolitan Theodore (Chuadze) of Akhaltsikhe and Tao-Klarjeti.

In 2011, a basilica named after St. Nino was incorporated into the Church complex, which was consecrated by Metropolitan Jacob (Iakobishvili) on February 10, 2015.

On July 22, 2020, Metropolitan Davit (Makharadze) of Alaverdi consecrated the third church in the complex, dedicated to St. Joseph the Hesychast. This church is notably the first one dedicated to the Venerable Father in the secular space.

On June 29, 2022, a fourth church was added to the complex, dedicated to the entrance of the Theotokos into the temple and consecrated by Metropolitan Davit (Makharadze) of Alaverdi.

On July 11, 2022, the church dedicated to Venerable Sophrony of Essex (Sakharov), the fifth in the Elevation of the Cross Church complex, was blessed by Archbishop Ephraim (Gamrekelidze) of Bolnisi.

Soon the educational center named after St. Gregory of Khandzta was established with the blessing of His Holiness and Beatitude, the Catholicos Patriarch of All Georgia, Ilia II. Fr. Saba Tavadze was appointed as the head of the centre by the blessing of His Holiness.

Today, the church complex includes auxiliary buildings such as the dean’s room, confession rooms, restrooms for the clergy, workrooms for parish youth groups, a conference room, a kitchen, a refectory, and a church store. There is also an assembly hall named after the Holy Mount of Athos, a prosphora bakery, a candle-making workshop, a publishing house, and a recording studio.

The expansion and beautification of the complex continue to this day. Soon, the Baptistery, bell tower, new auxiliary building, candle-making workshop, the cultural and educational center named after St. Gregory of Khandzta, fountain, spring, and paved yard will be completed, creating one of the greenest spaces in the city.

Logo and Seal

The Church of the Holy Cross adopted its logo in 2020. The logo depicts a chalice, a spoon, and a prayer rope, signifying our continuous desire and readiness to be one with our Lord, Jesus Christ, through an intensive Eucharistic life and the unceasing invocation of His holy name. The same logo is also used on the official seal of the Church.