THE 'SHALIANI' ICON: HISTORY AND NARRATIONS

The paper discusses the correlation of the traditional mode of life and religious beliefs and analyses the social interactions in connection to the sacred sites and holy objects. The case of “Shaliani” displaying the evidence of inportance of traditional value systems. “Shaliani“ is an icon of Kala St Kvirike Monastery, in Svaneti Georgia. The icon is considered to have a power, which is admired till nowadays. The belief is symbolically focused on the “Shaliani” icon and it is the driving force of the social life. This power is constructed through the narratives spread among the local population. The historical and ethnographic sources and data are displaying interesting facts and legends bound together and legitimasing the perceptions regarding “Shaliani”