Georgia. Samtavro, Mtskheta, Bodbe, Borjomi

How the trip went

The main goal of the trip is Samtavro monastery in Mtskheta, where the relics of St Gabriel rest. We spend two days there to attend the service and stay at the relics without rushing. The programme also includes Svetitskhoveli, Bodbe monastery with the relics of St Nino, Equal-to-the-Apostles, and Tbilisi.

The group spends the last days in Borjomi: rest and, if you wish, doctors' consultations and check-ups at the sanatorium.

In Borjomi the pilgrims prayed at the Monastery of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos, a convent of the Georgian Orthodox Church in the town itself. Its main church was built in 1865. The monastery ossuary keeps the remains of the monks of the ancient Berebis Saqdrebi monastery in the Borjomi gorge, who died during the invasions of Tamerlane and Shah Tahmasp. Pilgrims come here to pray for help in illness and sorrow and are anointed with blessed oil. We also hand over prayer notes for the living and the departed to this monastery.

Route by day

Day 1

Tallinn - Tbilisi. Departure from Tallinn, arrival in Tbilisi, check-in.

Days 2–3

Mtskheta. Samtavro monastery: the service and a prayer service at the relics of St Gabriel. Svetitskhoveli.

Samtavro monastery, Mtskheta →St Gabriel of Samtavro (Urgebadze) →Svetitskhoveli cathedral →

Day 4

Bodbe monastery, the relics of St Nino, Equal-to-the-Apostles.

Bodbe monastery →

Days 5–9

Tbilisi: the churches of the old town, Sioni Cathedral, free time.

Days 10–12

Borjomi: the Monastery of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos and its ossuary, rest, doctors' consultations if you wish.

Monastery of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos, Borjomi →

Day 13

Tbilisi - Tallinn. Flight to Tallinn.