David Gareji

The Gareji area in Georgia is a high plateau 70 kilometers east of Tbilisi, and in its appearance is a harsh arid desert, where in summer there is heat up to 50 degrees, and in winter - frost up to 30 degrees.
Here, life arose after settling in the barren land of the spirit-bearing Abba David, who founded the Lavra in this desert - many monasteries and cells of ascetics of Christ. This monastic country is rightly called the “Georgian Thebaida” in the likeness of the monastic Thebaida in early Christian Egypt.

When the Monk David and Lucian approached the place, they felt a strong thirst and unbearable heat, for the time was very hot, and the place here was waterless. Going to one cleft of rocks, they found there some moisture, slightly quenched their thirst and settled to rest under the shadow of stony ledges.
Blessed David said to his disciple, Brother Luciana, do you see this beautiful and serene place? Let us enter here together, always in prayer and fasting, alertness and patience, so that we may be worthy of the forgiveness of our sins, but God is the sweetest and most merciful. He will reward us, and for our small labors he will give us the power of grace to strengthen our souls and to endure the hardships and weaknesses of our bodies. For the great ascetics of the Monks were temporarily subjected to various calamities and for this they received eternal reward.

We offer you an interesting excursion to the Gareji desert to worship the grave of St. George. David. Ancient history, beautiful landscapes unforgettable impressions.