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EASTER IN GEORGIA 18.04. - 25.04.2011
Easter is the most important holiday for Orthodox Christians. The week before Easter is called Passion Week. This is when special services are conducted in almost every church in Georgia, but most particular days are PASSION THURSDAY and GOOD FRIDAY.
Arrive in Tbilisi early in the morning. Transfer to the hotel and free time. After late breakfast Tbilisi sightseeing programme. We start our visit to Old Tbilisi from Metekhi Church (13th century), then walk up to the brick-domed Sulphur Baths. From the Baths we head up the hill to visit Narikala Fortress (4th century) - one of the oldest fortifications in the city. Afterwards we continue to the Synagogue, Sioni Cathedral (6th-7th centuries) and Anchiskhati Church (6th century). This marks the end of the Old Town. After lunch we visit the stunning treasury of the Georgian Art Museum, before taking a stroll along Rustaveli Avenue - the main street in Tbilisi. In the evening Diner in the typical Georgian restaurant and overnight in Tbilisi.
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 rock and even an antic theatre. In the evening return to Tbilisi.
Passion Thursday is connected to the Last Supper when Jesus Christ washed his apostles’ feet and when Judah betrayed him. According to Bible Last Supper ceremony takes place after service. Catholicos Patriarch of Georgia washes feet to twelve priests juts like Christ did with Apostles. We have a chance to attend this ceremony. After lunch we visit an enamel workshop and see how cloisonné enamel is made. The secret technology of making cloisonné enamel is preserved only in Georgia.
Good Friday is connected with Crucifixion, lamentation and burial of Jesus Christ. The Georgian church conducts deposition and lamentation in a special way. At 2 pm a cross is put in front of the alter and a special ritual follows. We attend this ritual in Svetistkhoveli Cathedral. That’s the place where Christ’s Robe is buried. One by one pilgrims enter the copy of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem built inside the cathedral to honour symbolically the tomb of Christ. 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.
In this day we will travel in the Grand Caucasus. We drive along the famous Georgian Military Highway and visit Ananuri complex (17th century). The two churches and the fortress overlook the Zhinvali reservoir. We also drive to Gudauri (2200m) and see peaks of Grand Caucasus. In the evening returned back to Tbilisi and have free time before go to the church for Easter ceremony.
In the morning drive to David Gareja cave monastery (6th century) in located in semi-desert. The complex consists of 19 monasteries. After seeing Lavra Monastery we walk 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 with ascetic life of hermits in a deserted place. In the evening return to Tbilisi.
We travel to Kakheti – the famous wine-growing region. Georgia is the cradle of wine-making. In a local village we visit a farmer’s house to see a unique 300 year-old wine-cellar. We get acquainted with the Georgian way of wine-making, quite different from the European one. Here we taste 5-6 year-old red and white wines and enjoy the lunch with a local family with home-made dishes and wines. Today we also visit St. Nino’s Monastery (4th century) where St. Nino, the woman who brought Christianity to Georgia, is buried. On the way back to Tbilisi we also visit Ninotsminda Nunnery (6th century).
Early in the morning transfer to the airport. |
