In 1103, King David convened the Ruis-Urbnisi Church Council that reformed the Georgian Orthodox Church, limiting its authority, expelling rebellious clergy, and expanding the royal oversight into clerical sphere. The office of the powerful Archbishop of Chqondidi was merged with that of Mtsignobartukhutsesi, chief adviser to the king on all state issues. The new office introduced direct royal authority over the church, supervised the new court system (saajo kari), and directed the police apparatus that spread royal authority throughout the kingdom. The king facilitated the construction of monasteries and churches in Georgia, Greece, Bulgaria, and Palestine. His most beloved project was the establishment of the Gelati Monastery and Academy in 1106, where he often personally labored on construction. Gelati, however, was not completed until after his death but eventually became a major educational and cultural center.
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