| According to the legend, one of Assyrian Fathers, David Garejeli lived in the cave on the Eastern side of the mountain nearby
Tbilisi. His name is also mentioned in the legend about the establishment of the
Kashveti
Church. David Garejeli left
Tbilisi when he went to the Gareji desert with his pupil, Saint Lucas. His shelter and chapel became a holy spot for Georgian Christians. Since X century, the savannah around Saint David’s shelter has been a sister monastery to Athoni Iverian Monastery, hence it’s name – Mtatsminda. The ancient church situated there was rebuilt by local Christians and was baptized in the name of Holy Mother of Iveria. In XVI century, two monks from
Athoni
Holy
Mountain – David and Nicholas Gabashvilis built a monastery on Mtatsminda. The Virgin Monastery was well appreciated by Georgian Kings and noblemen. This is the spot where King David of Kartli is said to have been consecrated a monk and be buried.According to Vakhushti Batonishvili, the monastery was abandoned and destroyed by the end of the XVIII century. People had no opportunity to pray there because of dark forest that surrounded it. In the beginning of the XIX century, a priest from the
Kashveti
Church - Thomas Grigoriev was ordered to revive the monastery by Catholicos-Patriarch Anthon the II. A year later, in 1910,
Peristsvaleba
Temple was built at the spot due to the donations from
Tbilisi citizens. It was a brick basilica with a wooden roof. In the XIX century, the building of a bigger church was decided and in 1857 first steps were taken towards the establishment of a brand new temple. It was sanctified in the name of David Garejeli in 1871. Six years later, a dome was built and in 1899 it was finally adorned. The brick chapel was built in the XX century in the spot where the pioneer church stood.
The temple is surrounded by the Pantheon of Writers and Public Figures. Ertguleba Charity Fund, built a Fathers’ Monastery and the Temple of Holy Mother of Iveria with the blessings of the Patriarch of
Georgia. It also took part in the reconstruction of the major temple and renovating the yard.
The Ertguleba Charity Fund also assisted the construction of the road to the monastery and presented it with a car.
Today, the foundation is building a store and a café for the temple. |
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