The southern Sololaki ridge on the hillside in Tbilisi has been a fortified defensive site since at least the 4th century, when the Narikala Fortress was built. On the ridge, the Narikala Castle, ancient fortress towers, and the 20th-century Mother of Georgia can still be visited. Let’s visit this strategic ridge and learn what important markers still remain.
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Belief After Doubt: Abraham’s Repentance Journey in Genesis 15
Faith often begins where our explanations fail. In Genesis 15, Abraham stands between God’s promise of a son and the reality that he still has no heir. What he sees does not seem to match what God has said.
In this moment, Abraham voices his questions, but he does not remain in them. He moves from reasoning about the situation to repenting of his wrong thinking to resting in what God declares. The passage shows how salvation works when we turn to God by abandoning our own explanation and trusting God’s way.
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Who is more Powerful? A Venus Elephant or the Cross in Casa di Achille in Pompeii
The mosaics at Casa de Larario Archille (House of Achilles) mark the most advanced cross-like designs in the city. Let’s analyze how this house of influence used a single room to contrast the power between the wall and the floor. Were these power encounters displayed purposefully? What does this tell us about Christianity in Pompeii? The house, known for its renditions of Roman gods, also features Iliad themes from the Trojan War in one area.[1]https://www.pompei.it/excavations/house-achilles-lararium.htm
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| ↑1 | https://www.pompei.it/excavations/house-achilles-lararium.htm |
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Did Pompeii Know the Cross? Rethinking Its Mosaics
The most amazing thing about Pompeii is the preserved mosaics that give us insight into 1st-century art. Many of the patterns endure over centuries, but some of these early patterns hint at a Christian following. We can see the cross in stone on our walking tour. Let’s explore the cross-like designs in the Pompeii archeology park.
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Qajar Art and Technique upon the City of Tbilisi
In 1795, the Qajar dynasty surged into the Caucasus, reaching Tbilisi. The Battle of Krtsanisi left the city devastated in a single, violent episode, scarring its streets and memory.
Yet history leaves more than ruins. In quiet courtyards, hillside homes, and public buildings, traces of Persian influence remain. If you know where to look, Tbilisi tells a story not only of destruction, but of artistic exchange and survival. Let’s explore the lesser-known corners of Tbilisi where the Qajar imprint lingers.
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Breaking Rome’s Social Ladder: Christianity And The Dignity Of Labor
Christianity did not promote elitism for those who held political power or social status, but reached all levels of society, from the Roman political chambers to individual slaves. Roman society was, in some ways, anti-tradesmen, with particular biases shaping views of different craftspeople, especially those making mosaics. What was the mosaic influence in the first century?
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