‘Tsachkhuru Gifts’: Why Georgians bring cradles to remote church?
Specifically for this day Natalia’s brother made her a traditional wooden cradle, which Natalia took to church along with one special wish. She asks God to grant a child to her newly married daughter. Photo by Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge
On Thursday following Easter Day childless women, couples and caring family members from all parts of Georgia go to Tsachkhuru Village in western Georgia’s Samegrelo region. A small church located there is believed to be a special place where God can make the dreams of childless couples come true and grant them a son or daughter. Photo by Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge
It’s 7km from Tsachkhuru Village to the church and on this special date, an uninterrupted chain of people walk along this road all day long. Photo by Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge
Believers depart for the church early in the morning. This family got up at 6am and headed to the church when it was still dark. Photo by Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge
Cradles brought by believers are gathered in one room near the church, where the height of the cradle hill reaches the ceiling. Eleven-year-old Davit, who assists the priest, guards the room. Photo by Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge
The church yard becomes full of people in hours. Photo by Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge
Everyone who comes here believes in one thing – that God will listen to their prayers and one day they will become parents. Photo by Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge
This loving couple, Dimitri Epemia and Nino Kudiani, are among the believers who have come to Tsachkhuru to ask for a child. They have been married for two years. Photo by Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge
Some people must wait for their dreams to come true. This is Shako and he reads a prayer near the church. He has been waiting to become a parent for eight years. Photo by Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge
Despite this believers continue to come. People carry cradles and walk around the church three times. Photo by Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge
Others light candles at the stone wall of the church. Giorgi, 10, who accompanied his relatives, is among the hundreds of people who visited the church this year. Photo by Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge
Some people walk without shoes to show their respect. They believe God will listen to their prayers. Photo by Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge
The yard is so over-crowded it takes hours to walk around the church. Photo by Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge
Everyone who comes here has one thing in common; they all believe God will grant them a child. Photo by Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge
Giorgi and his son Rauli came here to say thank you for their “gift”. Children who were born after their parents prayed here are called “Tsachkhuri gifts.” Rauli is one of them. Photo by Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge
Once a long-awaited child is born, parents keep returning to the church with the child and sacrifice a lamb to the church as a gesture of their thanks. Photo by Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge
Pilgrims wait for their cradles to be blessed by a priest. Photo by Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge
Dozens of cradles are gathered in one place. Photo by Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge
Church servants help believers in this work. Photo by Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge
The church is full of people and it’s hard to breathe inside. Photo by Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge
Those who couldn’t enter the church pray outside. Photo by Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge
The cradle blessing process takes a long time, so Lela, 7, waits for her family members outside the church. Photo by Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge
The priest pours holy water around and people raise their hands for the water to reach them. Photo by Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge
Once all the cradles are blessed, believers can take them home. Photo by Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge
People who managed to get a cradle after its blessed do their best to keep them safe. Photo by Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge
This process continues all day long. As some people leave the church, others arrive. Photo by Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge