Saint David of Gareja

Life

This David was one of the thirteen Georgian fathers (see May 7). He was so called because of the Gareja Desert, near Tiflis, where he practiced his asceticism. In old age David resolved, with several of his disciples, to visit the Holy Land. He therefore left the monastery in the care of the elders Lucian and Dodo and set out on the journey. When they reached a hill from which Jerusalem could be seen, David wept and said: "How dare I, with my sinful feet, tread upon the footsteps of the God-Man?" Then he told his disciples that they, as more worthy, should go and venerate the holy places, while he took three stones and turned back. But the Lord did not allow such great humility to be hidden from the world, and an angel appeared to Elijah, the Patriarch of Jerusalem, and said to him: "Send immediately after the elder who is returning toward Syria; he has three stones, and he is carrying away with him all the grace of the Holy Land; one stone is enough for his blessing, but let him return two to Jerusalem; that elder is Abba David of Gareja." The patriarch quickly sent men who overtook the elder David and took two stones, and let him go. That third stone lies upon his grave to this day and has the wonderworking power of healing.