The Motsameta Monastery complex -Imereti
The Motsameta Monastery complex (“Motsame” means “the martyr” in Georgian and that’s the word the mane of the church comes from) is situated in the mountains of northern Imereti, in the river of Tskaltsitela gorge. It’s believed to be founded in the 11th c., when Bagrat IV reined the country (1027 - 1072).
The foundation of a monastery has a connection with David and Konstantine Mkheidzes, nobles from Argveti. They were the rulers of the Argveti Principalty, who with their rather small garrison opposed the Arab ride, led by Murvan the Deaf and after long and fierce resistance were defeated by the outnumbering enemy and captivated. The Arab commander, Murvan the Deaf, demanded from the captative brothers to recant and adopt Islam instead of Christianity, but he got a flat refusal for an answer. The enraged Murvan tortured the brothers, but they endured it bravely, and were adorned with Martyr’s crowns. Their tortured bodied were buried in Motsameta monastery.Later they were canonized by Georgian Church.
The Motsameta Monastery complex (“Motsame” means “the martyr” in Georgian and that’s the word the mane of the church comes from) is situated in the mountains of northern Imereti, in the river of Tskaltsitela gorge. It’s believed to be founded in the 11th c., when Bagrat IV reined the country (1027 - 1072).
The foundation of a monastery has a connection with David and Konstantine Mkheidzes, nobles from Argveti. They were the rulers of the Argveti Principalty, who with their rather small garrison opposed the Arab ride, led by Murvan the Deaf and after long and fierce resistance were defeated by the outnumbering enemy and captivated. The Arab commander, Murvan the Deaf, demanded from the captative brothers to recant and adopt Islam instead of Christianity, but he got a flat refusal for an answer. The enraged Murvan tortured the brothers, but they endured it bravely, and were adorned with Martyr’s crowns. Their tortured bodied were buried in Motsameta monastery.Later they were canonized by Georgian Church.