…mentioned Nino of Cappadocia, a Greek woman, who has travelled to the Javakheti region during her pilgrimage to Msketa and who stayed two days at Paravani lake. And it is believed that she had a dream of meeting a man who brought her a sealed envelope and asked her to deliver it to King Mirian and Queen Nanan in Msketa. Praying to the Holy Virgin, she decided to do so and this is considered as an important step to adopt Christianity in Georgia.
It seems St. Nino is to be „blamed“ for the cross of grape – the symbol of Christiniaty in Georgia. A cross from wine branches, so horizontally declined.
Following St. Nino´s footsteps we had to stop at the Poka St. Nino Nunnery…as a starting point of our biking tour at Paravani recently. As we were biking around the lake, we saw a little not quite built yet hut, where three old, georgian guys were sitting and drinking chacha. When they spotted us, they immediatly insisted that we join them. So, not suprised by their hospitality because we are in Georgia, we joined them, my dad even for a small drink. They told us all kinds of life stories and marriages they had, accompanied by several other toasts. Village men, shepherds, living very ordinary lives, but with eyes shining like the blue lake. It is very remarkable to meet the mountain people, the sparkle in their eyes always hits us immediately. But it was time to say goodbye to them as we continued our journey through gigantic herds of cows, ringing our bike bells as we zig-zagged through. Once we passed the cows, we dived through a number of sheep who blocked the way, so we waited along with the number of cars. I must say, there is something special about riding a bike through a big crowd of animals by a lake on a nice, sunny day, as weird as it might sound.
No wonder, Paravani Lake is definately the place to visit in that region, calm and severe at the same time, especially in winter months. It is a plateau with the largest lakes in Georgia, at the altitude above 2000 metres with lot of volcanic mountains around. Many Armenians live in the neighbourhood (fleeding Armenia in the period of turkish genocide in beginning of the 20th century), which enriches the experience of Paravani Lake. Still Georgia, but a different, peacefull place. No wonder St. Nino had a nap here.
Few villages around the lake are the homes of „Doukhobors, „spiritual religious groups of Russian origin, who are known for their pacifism and tradition of oral-history, hymn-singing and verse. They reject the Russian Orthodox priesthood and associated rituals, believing that personal revelation is more important than the Bible. Among their core beliefs is the rejection of materialism. Facing persecution by the Russian government for their nonorthodox beliefs, many migrated to Canada between 1899 and 1938, where most currently reside….” describes Wikipedia. But Paravani is not Canada, why here then in Georgia? It is reported that all groups not in line with traditional ortodox church were forced to join the Russian army in Caucasus in 19th century. Men as soldiers, women and kids to resettle the Transcaucasian provinces. Approximately 5000 Doukhobors arrived between 1841 and 1845 to establish villages of Gorelovka, Orlovka, Rodionovka and others. Very close community who is concentrated on themselves. Would love to talk to them to learn more, maybe next time gettin´ to Paravani.
As my dad loves trains, need to mention the railway from Tbilisi to Yerevan (on my georgian bucket list) snakes the plateau and I assume the trains must hide in „chimney tunnels“ which protects the railway from snow and avalanches. If the snow storm hits the place that you need to wait, hours and days. Have even seen the frozen waves on the lakes on some pictures.
PS. My parents stopped at the lake in July once we were on holiday in Czechia, visiting the church as they learned the story of St. Nino and found a sleeping UK bloke who has travelled far to east on his motorbike and here was having a rest on his way back… „I had a dream….“ he mentions and my parents are staring and laughing…as he did not know the story of St. Nino….
Yes, there are things between earth and heaven….Stay tuned and keep dreaming!
