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Saint Melchizedek, Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia (11th century)

Memory 1 (14) October

After the repose of Catholicos Svimeon, leadership of the Georgian Church passed to Catholicos Melchizedek I. St. Melchizedek led the Church from approximately 1010 to 1030, during the reigns of Kings Bagrat III, Giorgi I, and Bagrat IV.

It is believed that St. Melchizedek was the first Georgian Catholicos to be commemorated as Catholicos-Patriarch.

According to historical sources, Catholicos Melchizedek was of a noble lineage and was a pupil of King Bagrat III.

Under his leadership Svetitskhoveli Cathedral was restored and adorned. He journeyed to Byzantium to raise funds for this project, and while he was there he visited Emperor Basil II (the Bulgar-slayer). St. Melchizedek returned to his motherland with generous gifts and began the greatest construction project of the century: the adornment of Svetitskhoveli Cathedral with gold, silver, pearls, and precious stones.

St. Melchizedek made several journeys to Byzantium during his life, and historians believe that during one of those visits the patriarchs of the East approved “Catholicos-Patriarch” as the official title of the chief shepherd of the Georgian Apostolic Orthodox Church.

History has preserved St. Melchizedek’s will, in which he bequeathed a long list of holy objects, monasteries, and villages to Svetitskhoveli Cathedral. In his will the chief shepherd of the Georgian Church is referred to as “Catholicos-Patriarch.” Melchizedek’s will also reveals that he specified the location where he wished to be buried.

St. Melchizedek was canonized on October 17, 2002.

Like Noah didst thou bestow upon thy nation an ark of holiness, and like a bride of Christ didst thou adorn the Church with living jewels. O Holy Hierarch Melchizedek, make us worthy of eternal blessedness!

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

10/18/2007

Venerable Onopre of Gareji, the Wonderworker (18th century)

Venerable Onopre of Gareji, the Wonderworker (18th century)
Commemorated September 29/October 12

Venerable Onopre of Gareji, the Wonderworker (18th century)

Venerable Onopre of Gareji, the Wonderworker (18th century)
Archpriest Zakaria Machitadze
Saint Onopre of Gareji (Otar Machutadze in the world) lived and labored in the 18th century. He was a Kartlian aristocrat famed for his wealth, hospitality, and charity.

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.

Great-martyrs Davit and Constantine (†740)

Great-martyrs Davit and Constantine (†740)
Commemorated October 2/15

Great-martyrs Davit and Constantine (†740)

Great-martyrs Davit and Constantine (†740)
Archpriest Zakaria Machitadze
The 8th century was extremely difficult for theGeorgian people. Marwan bin Muhammad (called “the Deaf” by the Georgians and “the Blind” by the Armenians), the Persian ruler and military leader for the Arab caliph, invaded eastern parts of the Byzantine Empire, then Armenia and Georgia. With fire and the sword he fought his way across Georgia from the east to the city of Tskhumi (now Sokhumi) in the region of Abkhazeti. The princes Davit and Constantine Mkheidze of Argveti were faithful Christians and skilled military leaders. When they heard about the enemy’s invasion, the brothers prayed to God for protection, assembled their armies, and urged their people to pray fervently for God’s help.

See also

Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia turns 82

Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia turns 82

Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia turns 82

Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia turns 82
The future Patriarch Ilia II (birth name: Irakli Georgievich Ghudushauri-Shiolashvili) was born on January 4, 1933, in the city of Vladikavkaz (now the capital of the autonomous republic of North Ossetia in SW Russia).

Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia II relates a miracle that once happened to his mother

Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia II relates a miracle that once happened to his mother

Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia II relates a miracle that once happened to his mother

Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia II relates a miracle that once happened to his mother
“I want to recall my childhood. There was no Sunday or Saturday, when our father, mother, and all of us children missed a church service. Once during the service mother said to us, children: “Stay here, and I will go out.”

Saint Ioane (Chrysostom) the Catholicos (†1001)

Saint Ioane (Chrysostom) the Catholicos (†1001)
Commemorated March 3/16

Saint Ioane (Chrysostom) the Catholicos (†1001)

Saint Ioane (Chrysostom) the Catholicos (†1001)
Archpriest Zakaria Machitadze
Catholicos Basil III’s “Story of St. Shio’s Miracles” describes how the hitherto childless parents of St. Ioane prayed at length to St. Shio of Mgvime. After the birth of Ioane, his God-fearing parents sent him to be raised at Shio-Mgvime Monastery. There he acquired the sanctity and wisdom for which he would later be called “Chrysostom,” meaning “golden mouth” in Greek. By this name he has been known throughout the history of the Georgian Church.