The Republic of Georgia is still relatively unknown to most travelers, and yet it has an incredible wealth of natural and man-made sites of beauty and importance. Our pilgrim and cultural tour will focus on the different aspects of Georgian history, spirituality and sacred art. We will visit most of the important sites in Georgia that have been tenderly venerated by the local population for generations. We will learn about the millennia-old Georgian culture and who Christianity sustained during the many hardships that befell that beautiful land. If the beauty of this mountainous country has hardly any parallels, we can certainly say that the food and hospitality definitely has none. Join us for this special tour!  

Arrival in Tbilisi, Republic of Georgia.

Group or a private transfer to the hotel. Check-in. Welcome dinner and orientation  

Today we will explore some of the sites of the Georgian capital, Tbilisi. Our first stop will be at the Anchiskhati church. The church was built by the King Dachi of Iberia (Kartli, Eastern Georgia) who had appointed Tbilisi as his capital in the 6th century. Originally dedicated to the Virgin Mary, it was renamed Anchiskhati (i.e., icon of Ancha). The icon itself is preserved at the Art Museum of Georgia. The Tbilisi Sioni Cathedral was initially built in the 6th or 7th century, but was destroyed in the subsequent centuries by invading armies. The current church is based on a 13th century version with some changes that occurred in the 17th-19th centuries. The focal point of the church is the cross believed to be  that of St. Nina (St. Nino is the Georgian form), the enlightener of Iberia (Eastern Georgia). In the afternoon we will visit the National Art Museum, where we will see the collection of Medieval ecclesiastical artifacts, miraculously preserved through the perils of the twentieth century. Overnight stay in Tbilisi. 

Our first stop will be at the Jvari Monastery, built on the mountain outcrop above the confluence of the Aragvi and Mtkvari rivers. The history of this place dates back to ancient times and tradition links it to Saint Nino, the enlightener of the Iberians. The church was built at the very end of the 6th century, adjacent to a much smaller earlier structure erected to commemorate the wooden cross that St. Nino placed on the spot during her missionary labors. After our visit to Jvari, we will return to Mtskheta to explore the Cathedral of the Living Pillar (the Svetitskhoveli Cathedral). This cathedral was added to the UNESCO list of the World Heritage Sites, and up until the Holy Trinity Cathedral was built in Tbilisi in early 2000, the Svetitskhoveli was the largest cathedral of the Georgian Orthodox Church. The cathedral was built in the early 11th century on the site associated with the earliest Georgian hagiographical tradition related to the deposition of the tunic of the Lord. Next stop in Mtskheta will be at the Samtavro Monastery, the resting place of a modern-day saint Archimandrite Gabriel (Urgebadze). The Georgian Orthodox Church officially canonized him as Holy Father Saint Gabriel, Confessor and Fool for Christ.  According to tradition, Samtavro monastery was founded in the 4th century, but the current complex is attributed to the 11th century and the patronage of King George I and Catholicos-Patriarch Melchizedek I. The original frescoes have been partially preserved in the interior of the church. In the afternoon we will return to Tbilisi. Overnight in Tbilisi. 

This morning we will visit one of the newest and largest Orthodox cathedrals is the Holy Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi, commonly known as Sameba. Currently it is the primary cathedral of the Georgian Orthodox Church. It was finished in 2004 and built in the traditional Georgian style. The Cathedral of the Iveron Icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary is the second largest church in Georgia, and it is located on Mt Mahata in Tbilisi. Construction began on April 17, 2012, on the initiative of Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia Ilia II, and was completed by the end of 2018. The Cathedral is dedicated to the Iveron Icon, kept in the Iveron Monastery on Mount Athos. After visiting these two splendid churches we will depart toward Kakheti, the eastern region of Georgia. During her long and turbulent history this beautiful land was ravaged many times by countless invaders, and yet some monuments of importance still survive. Our first stop will be at the monastery dedicated to the Virgin Mary, known as New Shuamta. The monastery was founded in the mid-16th century by the Georgian King Levan. His wife, Queen Tenatin, eventually became a nun and is buried here. 

Today will be dedicated to the exploration of the Holy Sites in Kaheti. Our first visit of the day will be at the Alaverdi Monastery. The foundation of this monastery is also associated with the mission work of the 13 Assyrian Fathers of the 6th century, but the current cathedral itself was built in the 11th century by Kvirike III of Kakheti. The Cathedral of Alaverdi is counted among the four Great Cathedrals of Georgia. From here we will continue to the Nekresi Monastic complex. Traditionally, St. Abibos, one of the 13 Assyrian missionary fathers, is considered to be the founder of the monastery. Although little remains from that time period in the monastery itself, an archeological search discovered the remnants of a Zoroastrian Temple, as well as the remnants of early Christian basilicas dated to late Antiquity. After lunch we will visit the church of the Archangels in Gremi. Just like the monastery of New Shuamta, the church was built and the frescoes were painted in the second half of the 16 century. Our last stop of the day will be at the Bodbe St. Nino’ Convent. Originally built in the 9th century, it has been significantly remodeled, especially in the 17th century. The monastery is one of the major pilgrimage sites in Georgia, due to its association with St. Nino, the 4th-century enlightener of the Georgians, whose relics are believed to be shrined there. Return to the hotel.  

After breakfast we will start our day with a lengthy transfer to Borjomi. On the way we will stop at the Samtavisi church that has a traditional founding date in the 6th century and is likewise associated with the mission work of the Assyrian Fathers. The current structure dates back to the first half of the 11th century. Our next stop will be at the Ateni Sioni Church. This remarkable structure was built in the 7th century in the gorge formed by the Tana River. The church in Ateni is a tetraconch. The walls of the original building were presumably largely barren, but frescoes were added in the 11th century by a group of a very talented iconographers. Many of the surviving frescoes are nearly intact and, just few years ago, local restorers completed the cleaning and the restoration of the ancient murals. For dinner and overnight we will arrive in Borjomi for dinner and an overnight stay.

Today* we will do a bit of driving in the gorges of the Kura River, exploring two important medieval complexes. The first one is the Sapara Monastery, whose foundation dates back prior to the 9th century. It was a home to many significant figures within the Georgian Church. Through its long history, a number of churches were built at the monastery - the largest and, likely, most interesting of them all is dedicated to St. Saba, built in the 13th century. Frescoes that survive in the interior are rather well preserved and known for their high quality. Our next stop will be at the Vardzia Cave complex. The building of this cave city is also attributed to Queen Tamar. The massive complex consists of living quarters, cisterns, a service area, and a large church dedicated to the Dormition of the Mother of God. The murals of the interior date back to the 1180s. For an overnight stay we will return back to Borjomi. 

*Sunday morning Liturgy will be offered at one of the local churches or monasteries of the Georgian Orthodox church

This morning, we will check out of our hotel in Borjomi and start our journey to Kutaisi. Our first stop will be at a small ecclesiastical complex of the Ubisa monastery. The original church dates back to the 9th century, with well-preserved interior frescoes from the 14th century done in Paleologian style, executed by the local iconographer Damiane. From Ubisa we will travel to a local restaurant for lunch. After lunch, we will visit the Motsameta Monastery. The meaning of the Motsameta is the "Place of the Martyrs". Such a name was given to the place in honor of the two brothers of a noble family of Argveti, David and Constantine, who organized a rebellion against the occupying Arabs in the 8th century. As the rebellion failed, and the brothers refused to convert to Islam, both of them were tortured and killed. Later, both of them were recognized as saints by the Georgian Church and in the 11th century, king Bagrat IV of Georgia founded a monastery in honor of the martyrs. For dinner and overnight we will arrive in Kutaisi.  

Our first stop along the way will be at the monastery of the Nativity of Christ, or simply known as the Katskhi Monastery. It is a rather iconic building in an octagonal shape that was conceived at the end of the 9th century, and finished by 1014. Barren of any interior paintings, this wondrous church has interesting stone-carved ornamentation. A short drive away is the Mghvimevi monastery, partly carved into rock. The main church is a two-nave basilica, constructed in the 13th century. The Mghvimevi monastery is known for its stone carvings that richly decorate the façades of the buildings. The interior of the church contains 16th century frescoes. Further down the road we will visit the church in Koreti, famous for its 16th-17th century frescoes, and then the church in Savane. This later edifice does not have any surviving murals, but it is famous for its stone carvings. Toward the evening we will return to Kutaisi for an overnight stay. 

Today we will explore the monuments of Western Georgia. Our first stop will be at the Martvili Monastery. The site upon the hill was previously occupied by a pagan sacred site. The original church was constructed sometime in the 7th century, and some fragments and carved lentils of the original church are still well preserved. The main monastic church was reconstructed in the 10th century and its beautiful interior frescoes from the 14th to 17th centuries are well preserved. After lunch we will visit the church built on the tomb of St. Maximos the Confessor, on the border of Svaneti and Lechkhumi, on the top of a rocky ridge. The grave and holy relics of St. Maximos the Confessor were discovered in the monastery in 2003. Along with them, the relics that belonged to his students were found as well. St. Maximos the Confessor lived in the 7th century and actively fought against the heresy of monothelitism. Due to his popularity among the population, the heresy-stricken emperor, accompanied by some clergy tried to silence the holy Father. Once all of their attempts failed, venerable Father’s hand and tongue were cut off and he, along with two of his disciples, was sent into exile to Lazika where he died in 662. For an overnight we will return to Kutaisi  

Our first visit of the day will be at the Monastery of Gelati, one of the most important and imposing medieval Georgian monasteries. The entire complex is certainly a masterpiece of an example of the Golden Age of Medieval Georgia that lasted from the 11th to the 13th centuries. The Gelati monastery was not only one of the largest medieval Georgian monasteries, but also a center of science and education. Several of its churches and chapels contain frescoes from different time periods and the altar apse holds a beautiful mosaic of the Mother of God and Angels, the only surviving example of medieval mosaics in Georgia. After crossing the Narekala pass we will arrive to Nikortsminda Cathedral. The cathedral, built in the early 11th century and currently on the tentative list of UNESCO World Heritage sites, is located in the eponymous town of the Racha region of Georgia. The interior frescoes, well preserved, are from the 17th century, but certainly not without particular interest. For an overnight we will return to Kutaisi. 

Today we will visit two important sites in the ancient Iberian capital of Kutaisi. The first stop will be at the Cathedral of the Dormition, also known as Bagrati Cathedral. At one time it was a mighty building, a sight of wonder for both local citizens and foreigners. However, it suffered greatly throughout its turbulent history and now remains a precious ruin. The grandeur of the Cathedral was such that it was listed on the UNESCO World heritage list. However, controversial restoration destroyed much of the ambience of the cathedral and was the cause for eventual removal from the UNESCO list. Nevertheless, the site remains an important historical and architectural landmark, well worthy of a visit. The second stop will be at the Kutaisi State Historical Museum. The exhibits of this special museum contain precious artifacts that specifically illustrate the history of Georgia, and among the collections there are some ecclesiastical articles - exceedingly rare artifacts of the ancient Georgian church. 

Around lunch time we will start our transfer back to the capital city of Tbilisi, where we are going to have a farewell dinner and an overnight.

After breakfast, transfer to the airport.