Roads closed as thousands expected to attend opening of St. Gabriel's tomb

Access to roads in Mtskheta are being restricted ahead of the opening of St. Gabriel’s tomb today.

Ministry of Internal Affairs have applied restrictions on roads from 9am until midday in order to ensure security and order of citizens attending the tomb opening in the Samtavro monastery, in Mtskheta city.

During this time, all transport will be prohibited from travelling along Agmashenebeli Avenue, from the 13^th kilometre, from the central highway travelling in a westerly direction.

All vehicles traveling from Tbilisi in the direction of western Georgia will pass through Avchala-Zahesi-Mtskheta bypass. At the same time, the transport moving from western Georgia to the capital city will be allowed freely on the highway.

Similarly, all entrances and exits of Mtskheta will be closed to transport.

In addition, The Ministry of Internal Affairs has allocated buses to drive those interested in the tomb opening process to Mtskheta.

The buses will operate from 6am on Saturday and Sunday. They will depart at the Station Square parking lot, in front of the building.

The railway to Mtskheta will also work full time, the Ministry said today.

Many people are expected to attend the opening of St. Gabriel’s tomb In the Samtavro monastery.

Priest Gabriel was recognized as a saint by the Holy Synod on December 21 last year. After the tomb opening, the holy remains of St. Gabriel will be transferred to St. Trinity temple in Tbilisi and stay there for a week, where the parish will be able to pay respects.

"In order to prevent unforeseen circumstances and in order for the police to be able to regulate the flow of people, the Ministry of Internal Affairs warns everybody willing to attend the event to comply with law and support police’s legal demands,” the Ministry stated.