|
|
|
Now the Convent consists of thirty sisters. The inheritresses of the great monastic traditions of the Bodbe Convent are mostly young. Under the leadership of the current Mother Superior, Abbess Theodora, the sisters ceaselessly perform labor to rebuild and strengthen the roots of their place. The
Convent, with the help of parishioners and lay people, slowly but surely is
starting to regain its early presence. It is being developed and St.Nino's
Tomb offers healing both spiritual and physical, and the inhabitants of the
Convent help the pilgrims to come closer to this constant spring of holiness. |
The
dilapidated Bodbe Convent came back to life only in recent times, in 1991.
rebuilt,
St.Nino's tomb has already been redecorated; half-devastated buildings and a font
at St. Nine's spring were restored. A small church has been erected to glorify
the Saint's parents Sts. Zabulon and Sosanna. The Convent cultivates many crops
and has an icon painting and needlework studio. Following the old traditions of
Georgian monasteries, the
sisters carry out research studies in the sphere of
old Georgian literature (the Georgian language is one of the most unique and
ancient in the world with its own elegant script); on the basis of ancient
Georgian manuscripts they prepare books for publishing used in divine services.
And, most importantly, there is a daily cycle of prayers read at the grave of
the Equal to the Apostles St. Nino, for peace, prosperity of Georgia and the
whole Orthodox world.
