The Establishment of the Monastery of Saint John the Baptist,
Chakiduli Tkhemebi
“This place, which we usually call the Desert of Saint John the Baptist, is truly a Godsent. With the protection of the Mother of God, and strengthened by the supplications of the Great Prophet and Forerunner, I witnessed a miraculous sight in this place, hidden from the eyes of men by divine providence. The scenery, with its colorful and craggy landscapes, flora and fauna, appeared to me as a new Gareji. At the foot of cliffs, to the northwest, lay the ancient city of Mtskheta, the depository of the Robe of Christ, with the Jvari (cross) Monastery towering on a hill nearby, and the Karsani Church of Saint Nino looking down on the slopes of Mount Bagineti on the other side. Later, I would come here and contemplate the graceful view for hours but, at the time, I did not know how a new monastery would be built. It already looked like a perfect place for prayer. It is only through the grace of the Lord that the place has been transfigured. The locals refer to it as Chakiduli Tkhemebi (Hanging Slopes).
There will be a great struggle, indeed. Golgotha is a joy only with Thee and for Thee, O Lord, to Whom is due all glory, together with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen”.
METROPOLITAN OF ALAVERDI DAVID
On December 21, 2004, with the blessing of His Holiness and Beatitude Catholicos-Patriarch of All-Georgia Ilia II, the monastery of Saint John the Baptist was established in the area known as Chakiduli Tkhemebi (Hanging Slopes), near Tbilisi, in the Diocese of Mtskheta and Tbilisi. The Catholicos-Patriarch put Metropolitan David in charge of the monastery.
A small group of nuns moved here from the New Shuamta monastery to carry out publishing activities in this metochion mission monastery. The main church of the Chakiduli Tkhemebi (Hanging Slopes) monastery is dedicated to Saint Nicholas, and the chapel north of this church honors the Beheading of Saint John the Baptist.
Metropolitan David writes about this monastery: “The road to the desert was cut on January 19 (6), 2000, the Feast of the Theophany. Let us here, near Tbilisi, in this place, offering views of Mtskheta and the Jvari monastery, lead a life of spiritual labor, like the ancient desert-dwellers, to turn this monastery into a place where people will live and breathe prayer. I strongly believe that a multitude of those striving to commune with and take in the divine fire will choose this path to come to the knowledge of themselves and draw closer to God. Amen”.
