ɐkˈoːɹdɪŋ tə mˈɛdɪˌiːvəl dʒˈɔːɹdʒən ˈænəlz, ðə kənstɹˈʌkʃən ʌvðɪ ɚɹˈɪdʒɪnəl tʃˈɜːtʃ ˌɔn ðɪs sˈaɪt wʌz ɪnˈɪʃɪˌeɪɾᵻd baɪ kˈɪŋ vˈækhtæŋ ɡˌoːɹɡeɪzˈɑːli ɪnðə fˈɪfθ sˈɛntʃɚɹi.
According to medieval Georgian annals, the construction of the original church on this site was initiated by King Vakhtang Gorgasali in the 5th century.