Episcopal See of Ishkhani

The Episcopal See of Ishkhani was an eparchy in feudal Georgia centered at Ishkhani (currently within the territory of Turkey), on the right bank of the Oltisistskali [Oltu] River.

It was established in the mid-9th century on the initiative of Bagrat I Kouropalates. Its first bishop was Saba Ishkhneli [Saba of Ishkhani], an associate of Grigol Khandzteli [Gregory of Khandzta].

The diocese of the Episcopal See of Ishkhani encompassed the historical Georgian provinces of Tortomi, Parkhali, and others. According to Vakhushti Bagrationi: "In Ishkhani sat a bishop, the shepherd of Ispiri, Tortomi, and Bayburt up to the Trebizond mountains…"

The Bishop of Ishkhani held a highly prestigious position during the coronation and royal court assemblies (darbazoba) of the Georgian monarchs and ranked tenth within the ecclesiastical hierarchy. The cathedral and ecclesiastical center of Ishkhani ceased operation in the second half of the 17th century. During the initial phase of Ottoman rule, the bishops of Ishkhani were approved by the Ottoman sultans.

Sources: ვახუშტი, აღწერა სამეფოსა საქართველოსა, თ. ლომოურის და ნ. ბერძენიშვილის რედ., თბ., 1941.

Literature: ააბრამიშვილი გ., ზაქარაია პ., ციციშვილი ი., ქართული ხუროთმოძღვრების ისტორია, თბ., 2000.

D. Muskhelishvili