location: Georgia,  the Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia, Ochamchire municipality, village of   Ilori.

Constructions  inside  the complex::  the church,  the bell tower.

Historical-architectural description:

The 11^th century church of Saint George in Ilori is a shrine of utmost importance, located in Western Georgia. The church was rich with Christian relics. For a long time it represented a religious saving place of church and monasteries of the north-west part of Odishi.  The   Chalice of Bedia (10^th century) and other relics were preserved in this church.

The inscriptions on church of Saint George in Ilori have significant historical value for the development of Georgian Alphabet, as well as for the survey of Ilori church and in general, that of Georgian history.

It’s significant, that the inscriptions of the Church of Saint George represent all the three development stages of Georgian Alphabet: Asomtavruli, Nuskhakhutsuri, and Mkhedruli. Inscriptions date back  to the church construction period – the first quarter of the 11^th century; they are interesting because all the three of development stages of the Georgian Alphabet are dated with the same period; the same person is the author of all inscriptions.

This single-nave church, terminated with an apse, has annexes from the north, south and west. The interior is lit by six windows. On the east façade there are five stones with an old Georgian inscriptions, these are also dated to the first quarter of the 11^th century. The ornamented mouth and termination of the western window have been preserved, dating back to the 11^th century. Inside the fronton, there is an ornamented rectangular tile, bearing the image of the cross, whilst at the eastern façade there is a relief image of St. George.

Current condition: The territory is currently occupied by Russia, because of which it is impossible to study and to conduct  the appropriate   works.

But we have information that, in 2010, the Abkhazian separatists and  Russian occupants installed Russian dome on the 11^th century Georgian church in order to erase totally any Georgian sign off the external facades; internal ones were partially repainted in white, the eastern part, where the Georgian inscriptions had been carved, is totally plastered. Contemporary air-conditioners have been installed in the church.

Ilori Church has been given the status of national importance  monument.