Zedazeni Monastery

Perched on the slopes of the Zedazeni Ridge and overlooking the banks of the Aragvi River, Zedazeni Monastery is situated near the ancient city of Mtskheta. Its foundation dates back to the 6th century, established by one of the revered Assyrian Fathers — John of Zedazeni — who played a pivotal role in spreading Christianity throughout Georgia.

Long before the advent of Christianity, this sacred hilltop was home to a pagan sanctuary dedicated to the idol Zadeni. The present-day monastery of John of Zedazeni is a striking example of early Christian architecture — a three-aisled basilica constructed from stone and brick. Each side of the basilica measures 13 meters in length, with a soaring height of 10 meters. The entrance to the church lies on the southern wall, while the altar is located to the east. Within the eastern apse rests the tomb of Saint John of Zedazeni himself.

Inside, visitors can admire the vivid and spiritually rich frescoes adorning the walls, including the dramatic scene of “Saint George’s Combat with the Dragon.” However, the monastery’s journey through the centuries was not without hardship. In the 17th century, it suffered partial destruction at the hands of Shah Abbas. It was not until the 19th century that efforts to revive the monastery were undertaken in earnest.

In 1888, Archimandrite Alexander Okropiridze from the Shio-Mgvime Monastery arrived with the mission to breathe new life into the neglected sanctuary. With funds raised by the faithful, the monastery was restored and repopulated with ten monks. Yet, this revival was short-lived. Due to the threat posed by bandits in the nearby forests and the absence of arable land for sustenance, the monks were eventually forced to abandon the monastery once again.

From 1932 to 1946, the monastery found a caretaker in the monk Ekvtime, a man whose influence extended far beyond its walls. In his secular life, he was a publisher of books. At Zedazeni, he composed sacred music for liturgical chants and assembled a unique library of religious and secular literature, which he later donated to the State Museum of Georgia.

Today, Zedazeni Monastery has once again opened its doors to the faithful and the curious alike. Beside the monastery lies a spring known for its healing properties, its waters collected in a stone basin. Pilgrims journey from near and far, drawn by the belief that the spring’s water can cure a wide range of ailments. From the monastery grounds, one can also catch sight of another of Georgia’s treasured monastic sites — Jvari Monastery — resting on the neighboring spur of the Saguramo Ridge.

The dirt road to Zedazeni begins in the town of Saguramo. It is accessible by car in dry weather, though after rains the path often becomes washed out, making the ascent difficult. The walk to the monastery covers approximately 6 kilometers. From Mtskheta, take the Tsitsamuri–Saguramo highway and turn onto Zedazeni Street.