Georgian Easter Tour

Day 1: Departure for Tbilisi

Day 2: Tbilisi

Tbilisi sightseeing program.

Day 3: Wine Tour

We travel to Kakheti – the famous wine-growing region. In a local village, we visit a farmer’s house to see a unique wine cellar. We get acquainted with the Georgian way of wine-making, quite different from the European one. Later we visit Bodbe Monastery (4th century) where the grave of St. Nino, the maiden who brought Christianity to Georgia, is kept. Then we see the fortified town of Sighnaghi and drive back to Tbilisi.

Day 4: Passion Thursday

Passion Thursday is connected to the Last Supper when Jesus Christ washed his apostles’ feet and when Judah betrayed him. According to the New Gospel Last Supper ceremony takes place after service. Catholicos-Patriarch of Georgia washes feet to twelve priests just like Christ did with Apostles. We attend the ceremony and later visit an enamel workshop and see how cloisonné enamel is made.

Day 5: Good Friday

Good Friday is connected with the Crucifixion, lamentation, and burial of Jesus Christ. The Georgian church conducts deposition and lamentation in a special way. A cross is put in front of an altar and a special ritual follows. We attend this ritual in Svetistkhoveli Cathedral. That’s the place where Christ’s Robe is buried. We can participate in the process and also visit the ancient capital of Georgia – Mtskheta. Another process we attend is that of painting eggs red symbolizing the resurrection of Christ.

Day 6: Holy Saturday

We visit Uplistsikhe Cave Town (1st millennium BC) where the Great Silk Road used to pass. This is an old and interesting complex with dwelling quarters, wine cellars, bakeries, a three-nave basilica church hewn out in the rock, and even an antic theatre. Afterward, drive along the famous Georgian Military Highway and visit the Ananuri complex (17th century). The two churches and the fortress overlook the Zhinvali reservoir. Return back to Tbilisi and have free time before going to the church for the Easter ceremony. In the late evening before

The midnight we go to the church and together with the all Georgians meet the Easter.

Day 7: EASTER

Drive to David Gareja cave monastery (6th century) located in a semi-desert. After seeing Lavra Monastery we walked up for about 50 minutes to Udabno Monastery to enjoy its wonderful painted caves and dramatic views across to Azerbaijan. In the monastery, we acquaint ourselves with the ascetic life of hermits in a deserted place.

Day 8: Departure

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