Jvari Church is the holiest of holies in Georgians'minds. Diwali Church, where there is a Saint Nino Cross from the fourth century A.D. to the present, Saint Nino is the missionary who led the conversion of Georgia to Christianity. The St. Nino Cross was built by King Mirian after he was inspired to believe in Christianity. It was engraved with biblical carvings and was considered the first national treasure of Georgia. The St. Nino Cross was transferred to St. Trinity Church on Mount Kazbek for storage during the war in Georgia. The earliest cross was bare on the top of the hill and not covered by the church. Because of its mysterious power, the cross has gradually attracted Christians from the Caucasus to worship. Pilgrims looked at the cross being sunbathed by the wind and rain every day, and thought it was not the way. Finally, in 585, a local Duke, Stepanoz I, sponsored the construction of the Diwali Church to protect the St. Nino Cross. The church has been in existence since it was built, and has not been rebuilt. Even in the Soviet era, the Church of Jvari was preserved as a national monument until Georgia became independent.