By its location and architectural character, the Potoleti church is considered to be the Kvirikatsminda monastery founded in the 840s by Kristepore, a disciple of Grigol of Khandzta. As we learn from the "Life of Grigol of Khandzta", Kristepore was Grigol's closest disciple and stood at his teacher's side from the first days of his work. At the end of the 8th century he, together with Tevdore and Saba, accompanied Grigol on his journey to Klarjeti. Later Kristepore founded the Kvirikatsminda monastery in Kartli, in the region bordering Samtskhe.