The Day of Remembrance of 100,000 Martyrs was celebrated on the Metekhi Bridge in Tbilisi.

The enthronement of the Patriarchal Throne, Metropolitan Shio (Mujiri) of Senaki and Chkhorotsku, led a solemn service on the Metekhi Bridge. Serving with him were Metropolitan Theodor Chuadze of Akhaltsikhe and Tao-Klarjeti, Metropolitan Andria Gvazava of Gori and Athens, Metropolitan Ioane Gamrekeli of Kutaisi and Gaenatsi, and Bishop Grigol Katsia of Tsalke.

At a solemn event marking the commemoration of 100,000 martyrs, the choir “Sagalobeli,” composed of the Patriarch’s godchildren, and the Chokhosan Ensemble of the Patriarchate “Marula” performed Georgian hymns.

We would like to remind you that every year on November 13, the Georgian Orthodox Church celebrates the Day of Commemoration of 100,000 Martyrs.

Traditionally, parishioners from all over Georgia gather at the Metekhi Bridge every year and pay tribute to their heroic ancestors with joint prayer.

According to historical accounts, Jalal-ed-Din invaded Tbilisi with a huge army and captured the city, decorated the dome of the Sioni Cathedral, erected his own throne there, then had the icons of the Savior and the Virgin Mary taken out of the temple, placed them on the Metekhi Bridge, and ordered the people of Tbilisi to desecrate them. Anyone who refused was threatened with beheading. But not a single Tbilisian feared death, none of them desecrated the holy icons.

According to the “Life of Kartli,” on that day the Mongols beheaded one hundred thousand Georgians and threw their bodies into the Mtkvari River. As the chronicler tells us, the Mtkvari River flowed with blood for several days. 100,000 martyrs joined the ranks of saints, heavenly Georgia, that day.