Pilgrimage tour to Georgia

Transfer from the airport – excursion around Tbilisi

Tbilisi is rich not only in the color of times, a combination of ancient and modern architecture, but also in holy places. First of all, we will visit the Metekhi temple, 7th century, where St. Shushanik is buried. From the temple site there is a stunning view of the historical part of the city. Then we will go down to the bank of the Kura, where St. Abo Tbileli was saved in the cave. We will walk along the bridge, where one hundred thousand martyrs died from the invaders. Then we will go to the Sioni Church, where the cross of St. Nina, the baptizer of Georgia, is kept. Ahead of us is the oldest building in the capital, the Anchiskhati Church of the 6th century, where the miraculous image of Christ was kept. And of course, on this day in the courtyard of the Alexander Nevsky Church we will visit the graves of the holy elders Zinovy ​​(Mazhuga) and Vitaly (Sidorenko)

Kakheti 

On this day, amazing Kakheti awaits us. We will visit eastern and western Kakheti. First of all, of course, we will go to the Bodbe Monastery, where St. Nino rests. This monastery offers a stunning view of the Alazani Valley. Here, nearby, we will walk through the ancient city of Sighnaghi, the pearl of Kakheti, and have lunch in one of the cozy restaurants with a panorama of the Caucasus Mountains.

After lunch, we will go to western Kakheti. And of course, we will visit the palace of the princes Chavchavadze. One of the representatives of this family, Ilia Chavchavadze, is canonized by the Georgian Orthodox Church. The palace is located near the main city of Kakheti – Telavi, and of course we will go there. And we will visit another palace, this time the royal one. Then check into the hotel. Dinner.

Kakheti

On the second day of the tour of Kakheti, we will visit the Nekresi Monastery. It was founded in the 6th century by one of the Syrian fathers, Abo Nekresi. This is the only monastery in Georgia where it is allowed to sacrifice a pig on a holiday. Our guides will tell you this beautiful legend and much more.

Then we will visit the ancient city of Gremi. The surviving temple and fortress walls have preserved the former grandeur of this one of the largest cities of its time. Here are particles of the relics of St. Queen Ketevan, brought from India.

Ahead of us is the pearl of Kakheti – the Ikalto Monastery, a former scientific center of this region. It was founded in the 6th century by another Syrian father, Zeno of Ikaltia, and in the 12th century an Academy was opened here, which educated several generations of outstanding scientists. Afterwards we will visit the pearl of Georgian architecture, the Alaverdi Cathedral, which holds the remains of one of the Syrian fathers who established monastic life in Georgia – Joseph of Alaverdi. Alaverdi, built on the site of an ancient pagan temple, is also the burial place of the kings of Kakheti.

After lunch, we will return to Tbilisi.

Mtskheta

On this day we will visit the ancient capital of Georgia – Mtskheta. In the Orthodox world, Mtskheta is considered the second Jerusalem. First of all, we will go to the monastery of the cross. The temple standing over the cliff today was built in the 6th century. It was on this cliff that St. Nina erected the first cross in Georgia. These places are described in Lermontov’s famous poem “Mtsyri”.

Then we will go to Mtskheta. The Svetitskhoveli Temple, towering over the entire area, holds five shrines – the Tunic of the Lord, the relics of St. Andrew the First-Called, the cloak of the Prophet Elijah, a piece of the cross erected by St. Nina and a well with healing water. Svetitskhoveli is one of the two main burial vaults of the Georgian kings.

Afterwards we will visit the Samtavro Temple, where the royal spouses Mirian and Nana, who accepted Christianity as the state religion of Georgia, rest.

And of course we cannot help but visit the Shiomkhvime Monastery near Mtskheta. It was founded in the 6th century by another of the 13 Syrian fathers – Shio. Mkhvime means cave. This is a holy place for Georgians. The pit where St. Shio saved himself is especially striking.

After spiritual food, we will have lunch in a colorful restaurant with traditional cuisine.

Return to Tbilisi. Free time

Kanda – Kutaisi

This day we will go to Western Georgia. On the way we will visit the monastery in the village of Kanda. An ancient people, Orthodox Assyrians, live here. The Kanda Monastery is the only place in Georgia where chants are held in Aramaic, the language that Christ spoke.

Then we will continue our journey to the West. Upon arrival in Kutaisi we will have lunch. Afterwards we will begin our acquaintance with the ancient city. We will visit the Bagrat Temple. A majestic building of the 11th century. It was built in the 19th century and restored in the 21st. Bagrat (what is it calledpopularly called) was built by King Bagrat III as a symbol of a united Georgia.

Ahead of us is the majestic Gelati Monastery. Built in the 12th century by St. King David the Restorer, it was the main scientific center of western Georgia. Young men from all over the country studied at the Gelati Academy. King David and St. Queen Tamar are also buried here.

Then check-in at the hotel, dinner, a walk through the historical part of the city

Martvili, Chkondidi Monastery, Arkeopolis, Dadiani Palace

We continue moving west. We will visit the Mingrelia region. Chkondidi Monastery, the main shrine of this region. It was here that Andrew the First-Called destroyed the pagan temples and established the first episcopal see in Georgia, which is still in operation. Then we will visit the ruins of the city of Archeopolis, where Jason came for the Golden Fleece. Lunch. After lunch, we will go to the city of Zugdidi, to the former palace of the princes Dadiani, now a museum, it is in its storerooms that the Tunic of the Virgin Mary is kept. After that, we will go to mountainous Svaneti. Accommodation at the hotel. Dinner

Majestic Svaneti

We will climb the Caucasus ridge. Svaneti is a remote region, hidden in inaccessible mountains. That is why it has preserved unique temples, frescoes, icons. We will visit the museum where the Gospel of the 8th century is kept. We will go to the community of Latali, whose temples are famous for their collection of ancient icons. The Mantskvarishi Temple, with a rich collection of Svan crosses, executed in a specific style, and frescoes of the 12th century. We will visit the temple dedicated to the prophet Jonah of the 9-10th centuries. The Church of the Virgin Mary, decorated with frescoes not only inside but also outside, which is unique for Orthodox art. We will take a short break for lunch. After lunch, we will visit the Transfiguration Temple, consisting of two floors. And of course, a special local flavor – the famous Svan towers.

Dinner. Free time.

Svaneti, Ushguli

This  we will go to the Ushguli community. Such a concentration of Svan towers is not found anywhere else in the Region. We will visit the Church of St. Ivlita and Kvirike, the largest church in the region, built in the 11th century. Next we will go to the Church of St. Barbara, famous for its painting, and visit the Church of the Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary of the 11th century. Lunch in Uzhguli. Then we will walk around the village. Transfer to Tbilisi