Datuna, Dagestan, Russia, June 4, 2026
Photo: goragospodnya.ru
An Orthodox service was celebrated in Dagestan’s oldest church for the first time in centuries on Monday, June 1, when His Eminence Archbishop Varlaam of Makhachkala and Derbent led prayers at the ancient church near the village of Datuna.
The visit took place on the feast of the Holy Spirit. Abp. Varlaam was joined by clergy and laymen, the Makhachkala Diocese reports.
Abp. Varlaam led a moleben with an akathist to the Holy Spirit and a lesser blessing of water. At the end of the service, he addressed those gathered with an archpastoral word.
The unique 10th- to 11th-century church is one of the oldest on Russian territory.
Photo: goragospodny.ru
Dozens of churches were built in Dagestan during the Middle Ages, but only this one church has survived fully intact.
According to scholars, it was built in the picturesque Khatan-Bugeb-kkal gorge in the early 11th century. Its construction is linked to the spread of Christianity in the Avar Nutsalstvo, or the Kingdom of Sarir, under the influence of Byzantium and neighboring Georgia.
The church was built on the order of the ruler of Avaria by a Georgian architect. It remained in use for several centuries before being abandoned in the second half of the 15th century, when Islam became established in the mountains of Dagestan.
Photo: goragospodnya.ru
In the early 20th century, traces of frescoes were still visible inside the church, but they have since been completely lost.
The one-nave church is built from golden local sandstone. It attracts both pilgrims and tourists. The site is enclosed by a stone fence with wrought-iron gates, and a small stone bridge leads to the church.
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