Mtsvane Monastery — Attraction in Samtskhe-Javakheti

Green Monastery

The Green Monastery, the same St George Cathedral was built in Chitahevi by appreritices of St. Grigol Khandzteli, Christopher and Theodore in about the IX century. Built on the right bank of the River Kura, the monastery complex Includes a single-nave church of roughly crushed stone and a bell tower of XV-XVI century.

The exact date of construction of the church is unknown as are the names of priests who lived there, but the church resembles the construction style of of the IX century. Monks' cells were located around the church, some of which have survived to this day. In the XVI century, during the Shah Tamaz invasions, the monastery was captured by the enemy and dozens of monks were wounded, tortured and killed.

The riverbed flowing in the monastery is 'full of rocks of reddish color, which were called the "bloody stones." Pilgrims believe that the blood of monks killed in XVI century remained on these stones. It is said that these stones with traces of redness have abnormal healing power - in winter ahd summer the "blood" of the stones is visible and if the faithful do not pray, the blood is "erased." In the 1980's of the XX century restoration works were carried out, and in 2002 there the monastery...

Monastic complex is located in the midle of forest with beautiful view a round, that is why it has name Green Monastery. Green Monastery or Chitekhevi St. George Monastery - IX Century Fathers Monastery in village Chitakhevi of Borjomi municipality. Scientists believe in the monastery of St. Grigol Khandzteli's disciples, Christopher and Teodore, were built. The monastery complex includes a basilica-type church and a later sanctuary. The church is synonymous with the foundation of the monastery and dates back to the mid-century. It is built of roughly worked stone and has almost no decor. The chapel is two-storey, the first floor is a chapel and the second floor is a rich...

Chitakhevi St. George's Monastery, the same Green Monastery. Built in the IX century. People called “The Green Monastery”, because all the trees in the valley are of a special green color. The stones, with which the church is built, are also green, but some are dark and some are light. In the 16th century, during the invasions of Shah Thamaz, this monastery was raided. During this time dozens of monks were killed or tortured. The blood which remained on the stones thrown into the river Chitakhevi, belong to the monks killed in the 16thcentury. Bloody stones are spread along almost the entire length of the river running through the territory of...