The church is broadly dated to the Middle Ages, but the exact time of its construction is unknown.
The church stands in the center of the village. It is a hall-church design, its walls built of large coarsely processed blocks of local volcanic rock. There is the only entrance, leading into a hall with a small vault leaning against arches. The arches are constructed of the porous volcanic rock. According to local reports, the villagers have found iron crosses and fragments of millstones in the debris of the church. The local Georgian Svan community revered the church as a shrine of St. George.[3] The church was partially restored and continued to be used until 2008, when the local population had to leave the area during the Russo-Georgian War.[4]
There is a second church on the northeast outskirts of the village. At an altitude of about 1600 m above sea level, it is the most highland place of warship on the territory of Abkhazia. Its design is akin to the former church, but it is larger in size. Local limestone volcanic rock is used in its walls and ceiling blocks.[3][4]
References
^The political status of Abkhazia is disputed. Having unilaterally declared independence from Georgia in 1992, Abkhazia is formally recognised as an independent state by 5 UN member states (two other states previously recognised it but then withdrew their recognition), while the remainder of the international community recognizes it as de jure Georgian territory. Georgia continues to claim the area as its own territory, designating it as Russian-occupied territory.
^Church in Sakeni village Historical monuments of Abkhazia — Government of the Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia.
^ abVoronov, Yuri (2010). Architectural monuments of Abkhazia. Sukhumi. p. 119.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
