Konrad and Alexandra (pdf) - Rolf Gross

lead to blind destruction."
In November Alexandra proposed to take Konrad to Alaverdi, where, in celebration of
the local saint’s feastday, the shepherds from the mountains congregated at this time to aat,
drank, and danced for two weeks with the local peasants. The most colorful event in Kakheti.
They took the ancient path through the low mountains that separate Tiflis from Kakheti.
"Father suggested that we get married in the cathedral at Alaverdi," explained
Alexandra. "Because you do not belong to the Eastern Orthodox Church the priests in Tiflis
would not marry us without first converting you, and Alaverdi is my favorite church."
Konrad was aware of this problem and had wondered how it could be resolved. "Russia
needs a civil-law marriage which Bismarck instituted in Germany. That would end the medieval
influence of the Church."
Alexandra sighed. "Here speaks my red-bearded Socialist." She looked dreamily at the
horizon. "I love the Georgian wedding ceremony, it is very beautiful and gives a marriage
meaning. I would never submit to a wedding before a magistrate, and I hope that our venerable
Georgian institution will never be changed."
Konrad laughed. "So, an unbeliever cannot get legally married? I have met several such
people among my students in St. Petersburg, they are forced to live in ‘sin.’"
"Or bribe the priest!" she retorted with a shrug. "The priests are poor and corruptible,
especially in the country. Papa and Ilia Chavchavadze will discreetly pay off the priest in
Alaverdi, but this is difficult to do in Tiflis."
Alaverdoba, 1890s
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