Saint Dodo of Gareja († 596/623) came from the royal family of Andronikashvili. He was tonsured into monasticism in his youth and lived as a hermit in Ninozminda in Kakheti. Hearing about the miracles of Saint David of Gareja, he went to the Gareja desert, where he remained to live under his guidance.
Dodo built cells for the new monastery in honor of the Most Holy Theotokos, and soon their number reached two hundred. He prayed for the forgiveness of sins and the strengthening of faith. Saint David healed the son of Prince Bubakar of Rustavi, who then received baptism from Dodo along with his family.
Dodo became the spiritual father of his mentor and managed the monastery he founded for 25 years. He passed away peacefully on Wednesday of the seventh week after Pascha, and he was buried in the cave where he labored. A church was built over his grave, and a service was composed for him.
