Zugdidi, Georgia, September 29, 2021
Photo: Facebook
During a pilgrimage to holy sites in Georgia, nuns from the Ukrainian Church gifted the relics of various saints to the cathedral in Zugdidi. They say the gifts are a sign of gratitude for a previous pilgrimage to Georgia that brought them many blessings.
Mother Barbara and Sister Afomaida from the Monastery of the Great Martyr Barbara in the Bila Tserkva Diocese of the Ukrainian Church have been traveling throughout Georgia for more than a week. They first visited the Holy Trinity Sameba Cathedral in Tbilisi, after which they made their way to the Zugdidi Diocese, reports the Union of Orthodox Journalists.
The relics brought by the Ukrainian nuns will remain in Zugdidi, in the Cathedral of the Iveron Icon of the Mother of God. Photos of the meeting were published on the diocesan Facebook page.
“These relics we brought were sent by God. One person couldn’t do this,” Mother Barbara said. “Everyone shared, everyone wanted to give some part of themselves to Georgia. Many monks, brothers, and sisters in Christ took part in this noble cause. And our monastery also shared what it could with the brethren, in gratitude to Orthodox Georgia.”
Photo: Facebook
Many Georgian faithful came out to greet the nuns, venerate the relics, and even accompany the sisters are on their pilgrimage.
Mother Barbara explained that in 2003, they were invited to bring the monastery’s miraculous Seeker of the Lost Icon of the Mother of God. With the blessing of His Holiness Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia II, they traveled throughout Georgia for an entire month.
After the trip, they were blessed to build a church, which turned into an entire church complex in honor of the Holy Land at St. Barbara Monastery.
“18 years ago we processed throughout all of Georgia, and now we’ve returned to give thanks,” Mother Barbara explained.
The monastery has many connections with Georgia, and it was the Georgian faithful themselves who asked to bring the sacred items to Georgia.
“I wanted to show the wonderworking icon from our monastery, to bring joy, love, compassion, and mercy to us all. We can’t be divided; we’re all brethren in Christ and our homeland is in Heaven,” Mother Barbara said.
In July, the Georgian Church received a part of the relics of the holy Great Martyr Queen Ketevan gifted by the Indian government.
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Vkontakte, Telegram, WhatsApp, MeWe, and Gab!
