The Monk Dodo of Gareji (+ 596/623) belonged to the royal family of Andronikashvili, descended from the Kakheti princes Vachnadzev. He was tonsured a monk in his youth and gained every virtue. A lover of poverty and solitude, he lived as a hermit in Ninotsminda in Kakheti.
After hearing about the miracles of St. David of Gareji, Dodo went to the Gareji desert to witness them himself. The Holy Fathers warmly welcomed each other, and Dodo remained living under the guidance of David. He spent five years with him together. Over time, deeply impressed by his devotion to the Faith, Reverend David suggested that Saint Dodo take some monks with him and begin building cells on a nearby mountain.
The Monk Dodo and his brethren built the cells of the new monastery in honor of the Most Holy Theotokos and devoted themselves to their labors with great zeal. Soon the number of cells reached two hundred. The Monk Dodo shut himself up in a narrow crevice, where there was barely room for one person, and prayed incessantly with penitent tears for the forgiveness of his sins, for the confirmation of the souls of the brethren, and for the strengthening of Faith throughout the country.
One day, the Monk David miraculously cured the son of Prince Bubakar of Rustavi. The grateful prince provided the monastery with food and various necessary things, of which David took some for his brothers, and sent some to Dodo. Reverend David advised Bubakar to be baptized by Dodo, and Reverend Dodo gladly baptized the prince, his sons, and his entire retinue.
For his deeds of piety and sanctity of life, Saint Dodo was honored to be his mentor's confessor. The Monk David, going to worship the Holy Sepulchre, entrusted to the Monk Dodo, together with his disciple, the Monk Lucian, not only his own, but also other monasteries under his leadership. Saint Dodo was awarded the gift of miracle-working and fragrance during his lifetime.
Reverend Dodo worked in the monastery he founded until his old age, managing it for 25 years. He passed away in peace on Wednesday of the seventh week after Easter. His spiritual children and companions buried him in the cave where he was laboring, and later a temple was built over the grave. A service has been composed for Saint Dodo.