Georgia

Mtskheta: Svetitskhovloba Celebration

Mtskheta 

Georgia

October 14, 2012

Dear Friends,

A little history:

Saint Nino converted the Iverian Kingdom to Christianity in the 4th Century.  Since that time, Mtskheta, a small town just outside Tbilisi, has been the spiritual heart of Georgia. 

According to tradition, in Mtskheta, Christ’s robe lies buried beneath the Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, a grand church that dates from the Eleventh Century.  Apparently, a Mtskheta Jew, Elioz, was in Jerusalem at the time of the Crucifixion and returned with the robe to Mtskheta.  The robe was buried with Elioz’ sister in the church that originally stood on this location.

Tbilisi and My Rug

Tbilisi

Georgia

November 8, 2012 

My Dear Family and Friends,

Six weeks ago, on my first day in the Caucasus, I wandered up Kozeveny Street in Tbilisi, Georgia.  I spotted an attractive rug hanging in front of a shop window.  On close inspection, it was a kelim – flat tapestry-hand-woven-multi-colored.  I liked the rug.

I kept on walking.

Tbilisi is a great city for walking.  My hotel was on the east side of the Mtkvari River near the Tsminda Sameba (Holy Trinity) Cathedral that towers over the city.

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