The main idea of pilgrimage is – prayer, worship and veneration to Saints. Orthodox pilgrimage is the part of the life of the believer. The main element during the prayer is not an external performance of rites but the spiritual renewal which comes to the Orthodox Christians.
Day1.
- Meeting at the Tbilisi international airport.
- Transfer to the hotel.
- Dinner at the restaurant (extra charge).
- City Sightseeing in the evening Tbilisi.
- Overnight at the hotel.
Day2.
Breakfast at the hotel.
Excursion to cathedral complexes:
- Anchiskhati Basilica – the oldest survived church in Tbilisi. Built in the VI century.The church is a basilica with apses, made in the shape of a horseshoe, which also testifies to the ancient buildings.
Initially, the temple was built of blocks of yellow tuff , but in 1958-1964 , during the restoration normal brick was used . The temple has three outputs from different sides , with only one currently used . All religious icons dating back to the XIX century except the altarpiece , which was created in 1683 by the order of Catholicos Nikoloz VI.
Dinner at the restaurant (extra charge).
- Holy Trinity Church – the main cathedral of Georgian Orthodox Church, situated on the hill of St Ilia in Tbilisi.
- The complex of “Tsminda Sameba” includes: cathedral, the chapel, the residence of the Patriarch, monastery, seminary and academy, hotel and other ancillary buildings. The total area of the cathedral is 5 square meters and height -101 m. Bell of the temple were made in Germany. There were installed 9 bells in the chapel with 2 modes: mechanical and electronic. The largest bell weighs 8200kg.
There are 13 thrones inside the cathedral. Several valuable icons and handwritten bible can be seen in the church. All four of the façade of Holy Trinity Cathedral ennobled by arches and several rows of unique carvings.
- Kashveti Church – an orthodox church , situated in the capital of Georgia – Tbilisi, at the central Rustaveli Avenue close to the building of Georgian Parlament. Kashveti is the good example of Georgian religious architecture of the first half of XX century.
The name “Kashveti” is derived form Georgian words “kva for a” stone” and “shva” “to give birth”. Legend has it the prominent 6th century monk David of Gareja of the Thirteen Assyrian Fathers was accused by a woman of making her a pregnant. David prophesied his denial would be proved when she gave birth to a stone. She did, and the place received the name of “Kashveti”.
- Metekhi Church
Under the arches of the church there is a grave of the first Georgian martyr – queen Shushanik. There is an icon of St. Shushanik in the church.
She became the saint of both Georgian and Armenian Churches. The parts of her body were taken from Tsurtavi to Tbilisi in X century and buried on the cliff of Metekhi. The exact time of her reburial isn’t known.
- Sioni Church – the main historical church of Tbilisi. It bears the name of “Mount Zioni” (Jerusalem). It stands on the bank of the river Mtkvari in the historic centre of the city. There was the chair of Georgian Catholicos before the construction of Holy Trinity Cathedral.
Day3.
Excursion to Mtskheta (UNESCO)
Program of cathedral complexes:
- Famous Jvari Monastery ( Holy Cross Church). In the ancient capital of Georgia – on the mountaintop stands the first UNESCO site – Jvari Monastery.
Dinner at the restaurant ( extra charge).
- From this place began the conversion of Georgia to Christianity, after St. Nino had erected the holy cross. From the site of the monastery is opened picturesque view over the confluence of the rivers Mtkvari and Aragvi.
- Svetitskhoveli Cathedral ( life giving pillar) of XI century. It is considered to be the main cathedral and spiritual centre of all Georgia for thousands of years.
- Samtavro Monastery ( the oldest Georgian nunnery of XI century). There are two miraculous icons in the church ( the icon of Mother of God and the icon of St.Nino).
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Return to Tbilisi.
Free time.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day4.
Breakfast at the hotel. Check-out. Transfer to the airport. Departure.
