Motsametoba celebration in Georgia, history and traditions

Not far from Kutaisi is the Motsameta Temple, erected in honor of Saints David and Constantine. The legend of the origin of the holiday and how Georgians celebrate this day today will be discussed in this article.

In the distant VIII century AD, two brothers lived in Georgia – Mtavars David and Konstantin. They were famous warriors, wise rulers and bright adherents of the Christian religion.

For a long time they defended their lands from the raids of Muslims, who destroyed entire settlements, forced the inhabitants of Georgia to change their faith. But one day, unable to withstand the onslaught of the enemy, the princes were captured.

For many months they were tortured, starved and tortured. They were required to convert to Islam and go over to the side of the enemy, which would serve as an example for the remaining Georgians. However, the brothers did not give up in any way and remained faithful to their Orthodox faith. For this, they were drowned, and subsequently their bodies were thrown into one of the caves near the Tskalcitela River.

A few centuries later, King Bagrat the Great accidentally discovered their bodies after seeing the glow in the cave. He ordered to build a temple on this place and preserve the relics of the Saints. This is how the Motsameta monastery appeared, in which the remains of the martyrs Constantine and David are still kept.

Today, the Motsameta Monastery is not considered the most visited place among tourists. Moreover, until the XXI century it was completely abandoned. Nevertheless, the Government and the Georgian Orthodox Church began to make efforts to revive it and restore its significance.

The holy relics are kept in the main building of the temple, under reliable protection. A tunnel with magnificent paintings runs under it. According to legend, you need to walk through the tunnel three times to fulfill a cherished wish.

Every year on October 15, divine services are held in the church in memory of the Holy Martyrs David and Constantine. Many believers come here from all over the country to pray and ask for patronage and protection, as well as to fulfill their wishes and learn about the future.

Near the monastery on weekends, one of the monks holds receptions where he predicts the future of people and gives advice. It is recorded for several months, it is so popular among residents and guests of the region. However, the church does not approve of his hobbies, so he is forbidden to live in the temple.

It is not difficult to find the monastery, it is located a few kilometers from Kutaisi. On weekends, you can get there by minibus, and on weekdays by car or on foot. Remember that entering the temple in short skirts and shorts is strictly prohibited! To observe the traditions, it is necessary to wrap yourself in a black cloth that is issued at the entrance.

What other church holidays are celebrated in Georgia, and what traditions are observed at the same time, read on the pages of the Madloba catalog. And also share your impressions about Georgian customs in the comments!