Excursion to the ancient capital of Georgia in the holy city of Mtskheta

From Tbilisi we are heading towards Jvari, this unique monastery was built in the VI century on a mountain.

On the site of a pagan temple, which at one time by the prayers of St. Nino was destroyed in a place with other pagan temples. A cross was placed on this place, after which a monastery was built. After inspecting the Jvari monastery, we head to the Zedazeni Ridge. We will go up to the monastery of St. John of Zedazen, where he spent the rest of his life, buried there. During his commemoration of the 21st of May, healing water flows from the wall of the church, which the monks collect and give to those in need. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, monastic life resumed. The monks were surprised to find traces of bears. During this time the monastery was not empty. From the monastery there is a beautiful view of the southern Caucasus with snow-capped peaks and the entire district of Tbilisi, and also the monastery of Jvari is visible in the palm of your hand. On the other hand, there is a view of the Kazbeg glacier, in good weather of course: You will hear about this and many more while visiting the holy city of Mtskheta.

Mtskheta.

On the way we will see the remains of the Pompey Bridge, which the Romans built to take over the city.

When we arrive at Mtskheta, we will first visit.

Svetitskhoveli (Temple of the life-giving pillar). Svetitskhoveli is the greatest shrine of Georgia, which is why the city of Mtskheta is called the second Jerusalem, because the temple houses one of the greatest shrines of the Christian world - Chiton Christ. And also the cloak of the prophet Elijah, who was brought with him by the Jews persecuted by Nebuchadnezzar 26 centuries ago. The temple also has a life-giving pillar, which is why the temple is called Svetitskhoveli. Svetitskhoveli is the main cathedral of the country, where the kings of Georgia are buried. The temple of Svetitskhoveli is also amazing for its architectural style. No solution was used when laying stones. On the northern wall is carved the hand of the master Arsukidze

In Samtavro rest the relics of the great elder and wonderworker of Georgia of the XX century, Saint Gabriel the confessor and fool. By prayer and intercession of St. Even after his death, miracles are performed and many seriously ill people are healed from various diseases.

In the courtyard of the monastery already the 17th century the Blackberry Bush blooms, near which Saint Nina prayed. This place used to belong to Queen Nana, in whose garden Saint Nino lived.

The monastery of Samtavro, where the holy Equal-to-the-Apostles King Mirian and Queen Hana rest, Queen Hana was healed by Saint Nino and baptized in 314.

King Mirian hunted in the vicinity of Mtskheta, pitch darkness fell on the ground, and the king ceased to see anything. In desperation, he asked Nina’s god for help. At the end of the prayer, the light returned and Mirian was able to return to Mtskheta. On his return, he met Nina and was baptized shortly thereafter. King Mirian in 327 proclaimed Christianity the state religion of Iberia (Georgia) and forbade the worship of pagan gods. In addition to the Georgian Orthodox Church, Tsar Mirian is revered as a saint by the Russian Orthodox Church.

This tour also includes a tour of Shio Mgwime monasteries.

After inspecting the monastery of Samtavro, we are going

St. Shio of Mgvim beat one of the 13 Assyrian fathers who, with their mentor John of Zedazen, entered Iberia (Georgia) to strengthen the Christian faith in the sixth century. After distributing the disciples to a place with other disciples, Shio descended from Zedazeni and settled in a cave near Armazi. After his name became known throughout the district, believers began to come to him to be baptized and take instructions.