In the Sheki region of Azerbaijan, nestled within the village of Kish, lies an ancient Albanian church steeped in mystery and surrounded by legends. According to one such legend, the church was built in the 1st century AD, making it the world's first Christian temple. Although archaeological research has yet to confirm this, the legend remains popular and continues to captivate visitors.
The church is officially identified as an ancient Albanian church, but some experts suggest it could also be a 12th-century Georgian church. Despite differing views on its origins, the church's enigmatic past draws interest from researchers and tourists alike.
Legend attributes the construction of the church to Saint Elisha, a disciple of Apostle Thaddeus, who arrived in a place called Gis and built the church to preach Christianity. From 2000 to 2003, the Norwegian Foreign Ministry funded a joint project with Azerbaijani scientists to study the church, even attracting the attention of renowned explorer Thor Heyerdahl in September 2000.
Radiocarbon dating conducted during the project revealed that a worship site located beneath the church's altar dates back to around 3000 BC. The analysis also indicated that the church building itself likely dates to the 12th century. Various sources refer to the church as the Church of Saint Elishe, Holy Mother of God Church, or simply the Church of Kish.
The church's complex history suggests that it may have served as a Caucasian Albanian Apostolic church, a Chalcedonian church within the Georgian Orthodox Church, or even as an Armenian Apostolic Church at different times. Regardless of its exact origins, the ancient Albanian Church of Kish remains an intriguing and historically significant site for those wishing to delve deeper into the rich tapestry of Azerbaijan's religious and cultural heritage.
