The Ghvtaeba (Deity) monastery of Martkopi lies near the village of Martkopi (Gardabani district), 25–27 kilometers east of Tbilisi, on the forested Ialno ridge. The monastery was founded in the 6th century by Anton of Martkopi, one of the Thirteen Assyrian Fathers. According to Georgian written sources, before the 6th century this place was called Akriani — a stony place. According to the monastery's charter, a church was built here by Vakhtang Gorgasali himself, who also installed a bishop; Platon Ioseliani preserves the same account. In the first half of the 6th century Anton of Martkopi, one of the Assyrian Fathers who came to Georgia, settled in the mountains of Akriani. He led a solitary, secluded life, for which he was called Martomkopeli ("he who dwells alone"), and the place took the name Martkopi. Father Anton soon won fame as a wonderworker, novices quickly gathered around him, and in time monastic life at Martkopi flourished.