Martkop Monastery (Region of Kvemo Kartli)
Martkop Monastery (Georgian: მარტყოფის მონასტერი) – The monastery was founded in the 6th century by the Assyrian father Anton Martkop (Georgian: ანტონ მარტყოფელი ). Anthony of Martkopi (Stylite) spent most of his life alone, which is why he was nicknamed Martodmkofeli – literally, dwelling in solitude, which is where the name of the area and the monastery – Martkopi (Georgian: მარტყოფი) – comes from. According to legend, Anthony of Martkopi brought with him a priceless relic – an image of the Savior Not Made by Hands on a tile imprint of the Edessa image of the Savior Not Made by Hands, which was lost during one of the enemy invasions. Since then, it has acquired a sacred, mythical meaning for the monks of Georgia, like the Holy Grail for Europeans.
There are several churches on the mountainside: the Church of the Virgin Mary, St. George and Father Anthony. To the east of the monastery, on the top of the mountain, stands Father Anthony’s column, on the ruins of which a tower was recently built. According to legend, Father Anthony spent the last fifteen years on top of this stone hill, thus becoming one of the pillar-dwellers – a representative of a special form of monasticism. The monastery has always enjoyed special rights, and in certain periods was also a refuge for the kings of Georgia. The importance of the Martkopi Monastery was determined by its location, which was a convenient place for defense. The monastery, destroyed and restored many times, still actively serves the country and the Christian faith. Many pilgrims from different countries come to venerate the relics and pray for consolation in sorrows and healing.
Martkopi village (Georgian: სოფელი მარტყოფი), Gardabani Municipality (Georgian: გარდაბანის მუნიციპალიტეტი)
