Motsameta monastery

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'''Motsameta''' () also know as '''Motsameta monastery''' is a complex of monasteries at the [[Imereti]] [[Mkhare|region]], approximately 6 km northeast of the center of [[Kutaisi]], [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]]. The monastery is picturesquely located on the cliff of a [[promontory]] in the curve of the Ckalcitela river, a tributary of the [[Rioni River|Rioni river]].

== History ==
Its name, whose meaning is the "Place of the Martyrs", is related to the brothers of a noble family of [[Argveti]], David and Constantine, who organized a rebellion against the occupying Arabs in the 8th century.<ref name=":0"></ref>

When the rebellion failed, they were captured and then they were promised forgiveness in exchange for converting to [[Islam]]. None accepted the offer, and they were later tortured and killed, and their bodies were thrown into the river. The water turned red and in memory of this event, the river was called Ckalcitela, which means red water. According to the story, the brothers' remains were captured by the [[Panthera leo|lions]] and taken to the hill,<ref name=":1"></ref> where the [[Gelati monastery]] is located. Later, the [[Georgian Orthodox Church|Orthodox Church of Georgia]] recognized them as Saints, and in the 11th century, the king [[Bagrat IV of Georgia]] founded a temple there.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" />

== References ==

[[Category:Immovable Cultural Monuments of National Significance of Georgia]]

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