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Holy and Righteous Ioane, Stepane, and Isaiah the Georgians

Memory 4 (17) November

Among the multitude of saints we remember those Christians who dedicated their earthly lives to glorifying God and serving others. In a single lifetime they performed all the spiritual feats of the venerable and devout fathers, confessors, and martyrs.

Among the saints canonized by the Georgian Church, only four have been called “Righteous.” They are St. Ilia Chavchavadze, well known as the “father” and “uncrowned king” of the Georgian nation, and Sts. Ioane, Stepane, and Isaiah the Georgians.

It is believed that Holy Ioane, Stepane, and Isaiah lived in Jerusalem and guarded the Tomb of our Lord. It is probable that the Georgian Orthodox Church proclaimed them deserving of exceptional honor in recognition of their dedicated service at the Tomb of the Savior.

For several centuries the Georgian Church has glorified the Righteous Ioane, Stepane, and Isaiah and asked for their intercessions before the Lord.

Holy and Righteous Ioane, Stepane, and Isaiah the Georgians, pray to God for us!

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

11/22/2007

Venerable Nikoloz, Radiant Star of the Georgians (†1308)

Venerable Nikoloz, Radiant Star of the Georgians (†1308)
Commemorated November 3/16

Venerable Nikoloz, Radiant Star of the Georgians (†1308)

Venerable Nikoloz, Radiant Star of the Georgians (†1308)
Archpriest Zakaria Machitadze
Saint Nikoloz was the author of many church services, but little else about his life is known.He lived in the second half of the 13th century, and the last years of his life coincided with the reign of King Vakhtang III (1298, 1302–1308), the son of the holy king Demetre the Devoted.

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-martyr Constantine-Kakhi (†852)

Great-martyr Constantine-Kakhi (†852)
Commemorated November 10/23

Great-martyr Constantine-Kakhi (†852)

Great-martyr Constantine-Kakhi (†852)
Archpriest Zakaria Machitadze
Тhe 9th century was one of the most difficult periods in Georgian history. The Arab Muslims wreaked havoc throughout the region of Kartli, forcibly converting many to Islam with fire and the sword. Many of the destitute and frightened were tempted to betray the Faith of their fathers.

See also

Holy Hierarch Anton of Chqondidi and His Disciple Hieromonk Iakob the Elder (18th–19th centuries)

Holy Hierarch Anton of Chqondidi and His Disciple Hieromonk Iakob the Elder (18th–19th centuries)
Commemorated October 13/26

Holy Hierarch Anton of Chqondidi and His Disciple Hieromonk Iakob the Elder (18th–19th centuries)

Holy Hierarch Anton of Chqondidi and His Disciple Hieromonk Iakob the Elder (18th–19th centuries)
Archpriest Zakaria Machitadze
Saint Anton of Chqondidi was born to the family of Otia Dadiani, the prince of Egrisi (now Samegrelo). Anton’s mother, Gulkan, was the daughter of the prince Shoshita III of Racha. There were six children in the family: five boys and one girl. Anton’s sister, Mariam, later married King Solomon the Great of Imereti.

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.

Holy Martyrs Metropolitan Nazar of Kutaisi-Gaenati, Priests German, Ieroteos and Simon, Archdeacon Besarion, and All the New Martyrs of the Totalitarian Regime (†1924)

Holy Martyrs Metropolitan Nazar of Kutaisi-Gaenati, Priests German, Ieroteos and Simon, Archdeacon Besarion, and All the New Martyrs of the Totalitarian Regime (†1924)
Commemorated August 14/27

Holy Martyrs Metropolitan Nazar of Kutaisi-Gaenati, Priests German, Ieroteos and Simon, Archdeacon Besarion, and All the New Martyrs of the Totalitarian Regime (†1924)

Holy Martyrs Metropolitan Nazar of Kutaisi-Gaenati, Priests German, Ieroteos and Simon, Archdeacon Besarion, and All the New Martyrs of the Totalitarian Regime (†1924)
Archpriest Zakaria Machitadze
Metropolitan Nazar of Kutaisi-Gaenati was born in 1872 in the village of Didi Jikhaishi in Imereti. His forefathers belonged to a long lineage of clergy, and the future metropolitan was nurtured in the Church from the earliest years of his youth.