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Venerable Giorgi of Mt. Athos, the Builder (†1029)

Memory 28 July (10 August)

The venerable Giorgi the Builder was the third abbot of the Iveron Monastery on Mt. Athos. According to some sources, he was a nephew of St. Ioane, the founder and first abbot of the Iveron Monastery.

Giorgi was elevated to the rank of abbot after St. Ekvtime left the monastery to travel to Jerusalem. Under his leadership, the main church of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos was constructed. An inscription on the wall of the church reads: “I established these columns and they will not be shaken unto the ages. Monk Giorgi the Georgian, Builder.”

For most of his life Abbot Giorgi was highly respected and even revered in the imperial court of Byzantium, but he was eventually slandered, accused of treason, and exiled to the island ofMonovatia, where he reposed in the year 1029.

Archpriest Zakaria Machitadze

For further information on the book THE LIVES OF THE GEORGIAN SAINTS by Archpriest Zakaria Machitadze contact St. Herman Press:
St. Herman Press, P.O. Box 70, Platina, CA 96076
http://www.stherman.com/catalog/chapter_five/Lives_of_the_georgian_saints.htm

8/13/2007

Saint Ilarion of Tvali (†1041)

Saint Ilarion of Tvali (†1041)
Commemorated July 24/August 6

Saint Ilarion of Tvali (†1041)

Saint Ilarion of Tvali (†1041)
Archpriest Zakaria Machitadze
Saint Ilarion of Tvali (Tulashvili) served as abbot of Khakhuli Monastery in southwestern Georgia at the beginning of the 11th century. In his work The Life of Giorgi of the Holy Mountain, Giorgi the Lesser writes that Venerable Ilarion was outstanding in virtue and celebrated for his sermons and ascetic labors.

The Lives of the Georgian Saints

The Lives of the Georgian Saints
Archpriest Zakaria Machitadze

The Lives of the Georgian Saints

The Lives of the Georgian Saints
Archpriest Zakaria Machitadze
Since the time of the ancient Greek historians, Georgia has been viewed as an enigma hidden behind impenetrable mountains and a complex language. Little has been written about this small country and its saints. Now, Pravoslavie.Ru presents the entire collection of the Lives of the Georgian saints which has been translated for the first time into English. These lives encompass the seventeen hundred years of Orthodox Christianity in Georgia. The stories of ascetics and bishops, warriors and noblemen are intertwined with the tumultuous history of the Georgian land.

Holy Martyr Evstati of Mtskheta (†589)

Holy Martyr Evstati of Mtskheta (†589)
Commemorated July 29/August 11

Holy Martyr Evstati of Mtskheta (†589)

Holy Martyr Evstati of Mtskheta (†589)
Archpriest Zakaria Machitadze
Saint Evstati, a Persian by descent, was a fire-worshipper named Gvirobandak prior to his baptism into the Christian Faith. When he arrived in Georgia and settled in Mtskheta, he was deeply drawn to the morals and traditions of the Georgian people, and he resolved to convert to Christianity.

See also

Holy Hieromartyr Kozman (†1630)

Holy Hieromartyr Kozman (†1630)
Commemorated on July 18/31

Holy Hieromartyr Kozman (†1630)

Holy Hieromartyr Kozman (†1630)
Archpriest Zakaria Machitadze
Over the centuries the monastic complex founded by St. Davit of Gareji became a spiritual and cultural center for all of Georgia.Many of the faithful flocked there with a desire to serve Christ. Among them was the hieromonk Kozman, who would end his earthly life as a martyr.

Holy Hieromartyr Tevdore (†1609)

Holy Hieromartyr Tevdore (†1609)
Archpriest Zakaria Machitadze

Holy Hieromartyr Tevdore (†1609)

Holy Hieromartyr Tevdore (†1609)
Archpriest Zakaria Machitadze
Saint Tevdore was a simple priest who labored in the 16th century in the village of Kvelta. At that time the Ottoman Empire and Persia were locked in a bitter feud over control of the Near East. At the beginning of 1609 the Ottomans conquered first the city of Baghdadi, then part of Samtskhe in southern Georgia. In June of that year they launched an attack on eastern Georgia.

Holy King Demetre the Devoted (†1289)

Holy King Demetre the Devoted (†1289)
Archpriest Zakaria Machitadze

Holy King Demetre the Devoted (†1289)

Holy King Demetre the Devoted (†1289)
Archpriest Zakaria Machitadze
The khan ordered his execution. Fully prepared to meet death, King Demetre prayed fervently, received the Holy Gifts, and gave up his soul to the Lord. Those present witnessed a divine miracle: the sun grew dark and an ominous gloom enshrouded the whole city.