After the death of Saint Nina in Bodbe, King Mirian built a small temple near the blackberry tree where she preached – now it is the chapel “Small Church of Saint Nino”. The first church on this site is believed to have been built in the 4th century by King Mirian III. The temple was destroyed and rebuilt many times. In the first half of the 11th century, during the reign of George I, by order of Catholicos-Patriarch Melchizedek I, the temple was expanded, the southern gate was added and decorated with original ornaments, which have no analogues in Georgian architecture. The temple interior was also decorated.
The cross-domed Samtavro-Preobrazhensky Church, the small Church of St. Nina, the bell tower of the 15th-17th centuries, the cylindrical tower-fortress of the 18th century, the temple iconostasis of the 15th century, and frescoes of the 17th century have been preserved. In the southern gate is the Church of Michael the Archangel. There are two churches in the northern wing of the temple. Eastern – St. John the Baptist, western St. John Chrysostom. To the left of the large altar is the altar, to the right is the Church of Saints Mirian and Nana.
The great saint of our time, known throughout the world, Elder Gabriel (Urgebadze), through his prayers, ended his life in the Samtavro Monastery and for the last 10 years has been the confessor of the monastery, and now its spiritual patron. His Holiness and Beatitude Catholicos Patriarch of All Georgia Ilia II has a special affection for the monastery, since his godmother was Abbess Samtavro, and in his childhood His Holiness repeatedly visited the monastery, where the Lord vouchsafed him with His visit and insight.
