Location: Georgia, the Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia, Gudauta municipality, small town of new Athoni.
Construction inside the complex: the church.
Historical-architectural description: The church’s initial construction dates back to the 7th -8th cc. Today’s construction is a sample of the 9th -10th cc. Georgian architecture.
Based on the Georgian and foreign sources, St. Simon Canaanite, together with the St. Apostle Andrew, were the first ever persons who preached Christianity in southern and western Georgia, including Abkhazia in the 1st century A.D. According to the memos of saint fathers, in 55 A.D St. Simon Canaanite was martyred by pagans on the cross and buried in Nikopsia city, on the northern border of the historical Georgia (Nikopsia- presently, Russian federation, the city krasnodar).
In the 4th century, to give a tribute to the memory of the apostle, a small church was erected in New Athoni, which was presumably built of wood. But in the following centuries, a church was constructed out of the white hewn stone that was restored several times, including one that took place in the 1880s. Unto now, no murals have been preserved from the church. Such Christian symbols as fish, lion and cross relief images draws a spectator’s particular attention in its architectural decore.
Current condition: The territory is currently occupied by Russia, because of which it is impossible to study and to conduct the applicable works.
Church of St. Simon the Canaanite has been given the status of national importance monument.
