Teklati Convent of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos is located in Senaki, among the churches, cathedrals, monasteries and synagogues of the region. The convent's history dates to the 19th century, and in the early 20th century, Hieromonk Alexi (Shushania) carried out his spiritual labour here, a real historical figure and venerated saint of the Georgian Orthodox Church (1852-1923). At the age of twenty he moved to Teklati Women's Monastery, led a strict ascetic life, cared for those ill with tuberculosis and cholera, buried the homeless, and his example inspired his mother, sister and brother to join monastic life.
For more on the monastery's history and relics, see the article on Teklati Monastery.
The convent once housed a women's school and a printing house, serving as centres of education and the spread of faith. Among its principal treasures is an icon of the Mother of God known as the "Never-Fading Flower," brought from Mount Athos in 1904. A relic connected to John the Baptist is also mentioned here: worth noting that this detail couldn't be independently confirmed, while Alexi's own biography records that as a young man he borrowed an icon, not a physical relic, of John the Baptist from his uncle, a moment that proved pivotal in his spiritual path.
The monastery's architecture includes a three-nave basilica with a projecting apse, a painted interior, facades decorated with relief diamonds, and a three-storey bell tower attached to the western side of the building.
It's worth checking visiting hours in advance. Several independent reviews note the monastery is sometimes closed to visitors, particularly on Saturdays, so confirming current hours before your visit is advisable to avoid arriving at closed doors.
