Georgia, 302 BC - 748 AD, History Folder, Caucasian Iberia.kmz

Georgia, 302 BC - 748 AD, History Folder, Caucasian Iberia

Georgia, 000, 1st Century AD Folder, Robe of the Lord, Sts. Andrew , Matthias, Simon the Zealot, Bartholomew,

Georgia, 1-58, Aderki, or Rok, or Pharasmanes I of Iberia, b to Mithridates of Armenia, eastern Roman campaigns
----------During the reign of King Aderki of Kartli, the Jewish diaspora in Mtskheta learned that a wondrous Child had been born in Jerusalem. Then, thirty years later, a man came from Jerusalem to deliver this message: “The youth has grown up. He calls Himself the Son of God and preaches to us the New Covenant. We have sent envoys to every Jewish diaspora to urge the scholars of the religion to come to Jerusalem and judge what measures should be taken in regard to this matter.” response to the envoy’s request and at the recommendation of the Jewish Sanhedrin, Elioz of Mtskheta and Longinoz of Karsani were chosen to journey to Jerusalem. Elioz of Mtskheta was born to a pious family, and as his mother prepared him for the journey, she tearfully begged him not to take any part in the spilling of the blood of the Messiah. the Roman soldiers were nailing our Savior to the Cross on Golgotha, Elioz’s mother miraculously heard each strike of the hammer. She cried out in fear, “Farewell majesty of the Jews! For inasmuch as you have killed your Savior and Redeemer, henceforth you have become your own enemies!” With this she breathed her last. Sidonia the soldiers had cast lots for the Robe of our Lord, it was acquired by Elioz and Longinoz, and with great honor they carried it back with them to Mtskheta. Upon their arrival, Elioz met his sister Sidonia, who took from him the Sacred Robe. With much grief she listened to the story of our Savior’s Crucifixion, clutched the Robe to her breast, and immediately gave up her spirit. Georgia, 1-58, King, Aderki, or Rok, or Pharasmanes I of Iberia; I (died 58) was a king of Iberia. He plays a prominent role in the historian Tacitus’ account of policy and campaigns in the eastern Roman Empire under Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius and Nero. According to Cyril Toumanoff, Pharasmanes was a member of the third Pharnavazid dynasty and reigned from 1 to 58. Pharasmanes is mentioned on the Stele of Vespasian. During his reign, Iberia was transformed into the Transcaucasian empire,[1] that would dominate the kingdoms of Armenia and Albania.[2] allies of Rome, his brother Mithridates was installed as king of Armenia by Roman emperor Tiberius, who invaded Armenia in 35. When the Parthian prince Orodes, son of Artabanus II of Parthia, attempted to dispossess Mithridates of his newly acquired kingdom, Pharasmanes led a large Iberian army and defeated the Parthians in a pitched battle (Tacitus, Annals. vi. 32-35).[3] Pharasmanes personally smashed Orod’s helmet with one blow: Orod galloped off, and the rumours of his death demoralized the Parthians.[4] 52, Pharasmanes instigated his son, Rhadamistus, whose ambitious and aspiring character began to give him umbrage, to make war upon his uncle Mithridates, and supported him in his enterprise.[5] After a short reign, Rhadamistus was in turn expelled by the Parthians in 55, and took refuge again in his father's dominions. The Romans had expressed their displeasure at the proceedings of Rhadamistus, and in order to curry their favor, Pharasmanes put his son to death.[6] Pharasmanes was apparently succeeded by Mithridates (Mihrdat) I.[7][8] an unknown date, Pharasmanes married an unnamed Armenian princess of the Artaxiad dynasty. She was the daughter of the Artaxiad Armenian monarchs Tigranes IV and his sister-wife Erato. His Armenian wife bore him three sons: Mithridates I (Mihrdat), Rhadamistus, and Amazaspus (Amazasp), who is known from the Epigram of Amazaspos found in Rome. has tentatively suggested the identification of Pharasmanes with the Aderki (or Rok) of the medieval Georgian chronicles whose reign is said to have coincided with the appearance of the first Christian communities in Iberia, and the travel of the Jews from Mtskheta to Jerusalem whence they witnessed the crucifixion of Jesus and brought the Holy Tunic to Iberia. According to the Georgian chronicles, Aderki's division of his kingdom between his two sons, Kartam (Kardzam) and Bartom (Bratman), inaugurated the start of dyarchy in Iberia which would last for five generations. Many modern scholars, however, doubt the existence of the diarchy, for the contemporary foreign source make references only to sole monarch.[9] Commemoration of the apparition of the Pillar with the Robe of the Lord under it at Mtskheta in Georgia, Commemorated October 1 ; St Sidonia of Georgia, Commemorated on October 1; Embrace the reign of King Aderki of Kartli, the Jewish diaspora in Mtskheta learned that a wondrous Child had been born in Jerusalem. Then, thirty years later, a man came from Jerusalem to deliver this message: “The youth has grown up. He calls Himself the Son of God and preaches to us the New Covenant. We have sent envoys to every Jewish diaspora to urge the scholars of the religion to come to Jerusalem and judge what measures should be taken in regard to this matter.” response to the envoy’s request and at the recommendation of the Jewish Sanhedrin, Elioz of Mtskheta and Longinoz of Karsani were chosen to journey to Jerusalem. Elioz of Mtskheta was born to a pious family, and as his mother prepared him for the journey, she tearfully begged him not to take any part in the spilling of the blood of the Messiah. the Roman soldiers were nailing our Savior to the Cross on Golgotha, Elioz’s mother miraculously heard each strike of the hammer. She cried out in fear, “Farewell majesty of the Jews! For inasmuch as you have killed your Savior and Redeemer, henceforth you have become your own enemies!” With this she breathed her last. Sidonia the soldiers had cast lots for the Robe of our Lord, it was acquired by Elioz and Longinoz, and with great honor they carried it back with them to Mtskheta. Upon their arrival, Elioz met his sister Sidonia, who took from him the Sacred Robe. With much grief she listened to the story of our Savior’s Crucifixion, clutched the Robe to her breast, and immediately gave up her spirit. miracles were worked by the Robe, and news of this flashed like lightning throughout Mtskheta. King Aderki had a great desire to possess the Robe but, frightened by the miracles, he did not attempt to free it from Sidonia’s embrace. Elioz was obliged to bury his sister and the Precious Robe together. A cypress tree grew up on Sidonia’s grave. When the disciples of Christ cast lots after Pentecost, the lot for evangelizing Georgia fell to the Most Holy Theotokos. But Christ revealed to His Mother that it was not His will for her to preach there. “You have been entrusted to protect the Georgian nation,” He said, “but the role of evangelizing that land belongs to My disciple Andrew the First-called. Send him with an image of your face “Not-Made-By-Hands” to protect the Georgian people to the end of the ages!” to the will of God and the blessing of the Theotokos, Saint Andrew the First-called set off for Georgia to preach the Christian Faith. He entered Georgia from the southwest, in the region of Atchara, and subsequently preached in every region of the nation. He established a hierarchy for the Georgian Church and then returned to Jerusalem for Pascha. When he visited Georgia for the second time, the Apostle Andrew was accompanied by the Apostles Matthias and Simon the Canaanite. passed and, under threat from Persian fire-worshippers and other pagan communities, the memory of Christ faded from the minds of the Georgian people. at the beginning of the 4th century, according to God’s will and the blessing of the Most Holy Theotokos, the holy virgin Nino arrived in Kartli to preach the Christian Faith. She settled in the outskirts of Mtskheta, in the bramble bushes of the king’s garden. Saint Nino inquired as to the whereabouts of our Lord’s Robe, but no one could remember where it had been preserved. In her quest for the Precious Robe, she became acquainted with Elioz’s descendants, the Jewish priest Abiatar and his daughter, Sidonia. Saint Nino converted them to Christianity. Nino was blessed by God with the gift of healing. She healed the afflicted through the name of our crucified Savior and through the grace of the cross formed from grapevines by the Theotokos and bound with strands of Saint Nino’s hair. that time King Mirian ruled Kartli. Following in the footsteps of his ancestors, he worshiped the idol Armazi, but in the depth of his heart he was drawn to the Faith that the holy virgin was preaching. Mirian’s wife, Queen Nana, was the daughter of a famous military leader of Pontus. Thus, the king had received some prior knowledge of the Faith of the Greeks. Queen Nana fell deeply ill, and only through the prayers of Saint Nino was she spared from death. After this miraculous healing, King Mirian became intrigued by the Faith that Saint Nino was preaching, and he began asking the newly enlightened Abiatar about the Holy Scriptures. while he was hunting on Mount Tkhoti near Mtskheta, King Mirian was suddenly gripped by an evil spirit, and he burned with a desire to destroy the Christian people of his land and—above all others— the virgin Nino. But suddenly the sun was eclipsed, and the king was surrounded by darkness. The frightened Mirian prayed to the pagan gods to save him from this terror, but his prayers went unanswered. Then, in utter despair, he began to pray to the Crucified God-man and a miracle occurred: the darkness scattered and the sun shone as before. Raising his hands to the east, Mirian cried out, “Truly Thou art the God preached by Nino, God of gods and King of kings!” returned to the capital, King Mirian went immediately to the bramble bushes where Saint Nino dwelt. He greeted her with great honor and spent several hours seeking her counsel. Upon her recommendation, he sent messengers to Emperor Constantine in Byzantium, requesting that he send priests to baptize the people of Kartli and architects to build churches. happened on June 24 of the year 324, which was a Saturday. King Mirian began to construct a church so that the priests arriving from Constantinople would have a place to serve. Seven columns to support the church were formed from the wood of a cypress tree that had grown in the king’s garden. Six of the columns were erected without a problem, but the seventh could not be moved from the place where it had been carved. Saint Nino and her disciples prayed through the night, and at dawn they watched as a youth, encompassed by a brilliant light, descended from the heavens and raised the column. The miraculous column began to shine and stopped in mid-air at a height of twelve cubits. myrrh began to flow from under the Holy Pillar’s foundations, and the entire population of Mtskheta flocked to that place to receive its blessing. Approaching the Life-giving Pillar, the sick were healed, the blind received sight, and the paralyzed began to walk. that time a certain Bishop John and his suite had arrived from Constantinople. Saint Constantine the Great sent a cross, an icon of the Savior, a fragment from the Life-giving Cross of our Lord (from the place where His feet lay), and a nail from His Crucifixion as gifts to the newly enlightened King Mirian and his people. the confluence of the Mtkvari and Aragvi Rivers in Mtskheta, the king and queen, the royal court, and all the people of Kartli were baptized into the Christian Faith. After the glorious baptism, Bishop John and his retinue from Constantinople set off toward southern Georgia, for the village of Erusheti. There they built churches and presented the Christian community with the nail from our Lord’s Crucifixion. Soon after, they began to construct Manglisi Church and placed the fragment from the Life-giving Cross inside. Mirian wanted to keep some of the newly obtained sacred objects in the capital city, but Saint Nino informed him that one of the holiest objects, the Robe of our Savior, was already located in Mtskheta. The king summoned the priest Abiatar and inquired about the Robe, then rejoiced greatly after Abiatar confirmed Saint Nino’s words that the Robe of the Lord was held in the embrace of Sidonia, who was buried under the stump of the cypress tree which now served as the pedestal for the Life-giving Pillar. that time a lush, sweet-smelling, wonderworking tree grew up on a mountain over Mtskheta and, at Bishop John’s suggestion, Prince Revi, the son of King Mirian, ordered that the tree be chopped down and a cross formed from its wood. The tree was chopped down and replanted, without its roots, next to a church that was under construction. For thirty-seven days the tree retained its original appearance—even its leaves did not fade or wither. Then, after thirty-seven days had passed, three crosses were formed from its wood. many days after this miracle the people of Mtskheta saw a vision: during the night a fiery cross shone above the church, surrounded by stars. When morning came, two of the stars had moved away from the cross in opposite directions—one to the west and the other to the east. The fiery cross headed to the north, stopped for some time over the hill on the other side of the River Aragvi, then disappeared. Nino advised King Mirian to erect one of the three crosses in the west, on Tkhoti Mountain, and another in the east, in the village of Ujarma. But it was unclear where the third cross should be erected, so King Mirian prayerfully beseeched the Lord to reveal to him the place. Lord heard his prayers and sent an angel to show him the place: a rocky hill to the north of the capital, at the confluence of the Aragvi and Mtkvari Rivers. Today this hill is called Jvari (Cross) and upon it towers the magnificent church of Jvari Monastery. At the moment the cross was erected on this hill, all the idols in Mtskheta fell and shattered to pieces. to his death King Mirian blessed his heir, Prince Bakar, and urged him to dedicate his life to the Holy Trinity and fight ceaselessly against idolaters. Then he peacefully reposed in the Lord. to his will, Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles King Mirian was buried in the upper church at Samtavro, where today a convent in honor of Saint Nino is located. The king was too modest to be buried in the lower church, the Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, in which the Life-giving Pillar had been preserved. Nana reposed two years later and was buried next to her husband. St John Zedazeni of Zaden, in Georgia with his 12 Disciples, Commemorated on May 7; St David Gareji, Commemorated on June 9;

Georgia, 33 AD, Robe of the Lord, Seamless robe of Jesus, Sidonia's embrace
Georgia, 33 AD, Robe of the Lord, Seamless robe of Jesus; Seamless Robe of Jesus (also known as the Holy Robe, Holy Tunic, Holy Coat, Honorable Robe, and Chiton of the Lord) is the robe said to have been worn by Jesus during or shortly before his crucifixion. Competing traditions claim that the robe has been preserved to the present day. One tradition places it in the Cathedral of Trier, another places it in Argenteuil's Basilique Saint-Denys, and several traditions claim that it is now in various Eastern Orthodox churches, notably Svetitskhoveli Cathedral in Mtskheta, Georgia. St Sidonia of Georgia, Commemorated on October 1; the reign of King Aderki of Kartli, the Jewish diaspora in Mtskheta learned that a wondrous Child had been born in Jerusalem. Then, thirty years later, a man came from Jerusalem to deliver this message: “The youth has grown up. He calls Himself the Son of God and preaches to us the New Covenant. We have sent envoys to every Jewish diaspora to urge the scholars of the religion to come to Jerusalem and judge what measures should be taken in regard to this matter.” In response to the envoy’s request and at the recommendation of the Jewish Sanhedrin, Elioz of Mtskheta and Longinoz of Karsani were chosen to journey to Jerusalem. Elioz of Mtskheta was born to a pious family, and as his mother prepared him for the journey, she tearfully begged him not to take any part in the spilling of the blood of the Messiah. When the Roman soldiers were nailing our Savior to the Cross on Golgotha, Elioz’s mother miraculously heard each strike of the hammer. She cried out in fear, “Farewell majesty of the Jews! For inasmuch as you have killed your Savior and Redeemer, henceforth you have become your own enemies!” With this she breathed her last. sidonia St. Sidonia After the soldiers had cast lots for the Robe of our Lord, it was acquired by Elioz and Longinoz, and with great honor they carried it back with them to Mtskheta. Upon their arrival, Elioz met his sister Sidonia, who took from him the Sacred Robe. With much grief she listened to the story of our Savior’s Crucifixion, clutched the Robe to her breast, and immediately gave up her spirit. miracles were worked by the Robe, and news of this flashed like lightning throughout Mtskheta. King Aderki had a great desire to possess the Robe but, frightened by the miracles, he did not attempt to free it from Sidonia’s embrace. Elioz was obliged to bury his sister and the Precious Robe together. A cypress tree grew up on Sidonia’s grave. When the disciples of Christ cast lots after Pentecost, the lot for evangelizing Georgia fell to the Most Holy Theotokos. But Christ revealed to His Mother that it was not His will for her to preach there. “You have been entrusted to protect the Georgian nation,” He said, “but the role of evangelizing that land belongs to My disciple Andrew the First-called. Send him with an image of your face “Not-Made-By-Hands” to protect the Georgian people to the end of the ages!” to the will of God and the blessing of the Theotokos, Saint Andrew the First-called set off for Georgia to preach the Christian Faith. He entered Georgia from the southwest, in the region of Atchara, and subsequently preached in every region of the nation. He established a hierarchy for the Georgian Church and then returned to Jerusalem for Pascha. When he visited Georgia for the second time, the Apostle Andrew was accompanied by the Apostles Matthias and Simon the Canaanite. passed and, under threat from Persian fire-worshippers and other pagan communities, the memory of Christ faded from the minds of the Georgian people. at the beginning of the 4th century, according to God’s will and the blessing of the Most Holy Theotokos, the holy virgin Nino arrived in Kartli to preach the Christian Faith. She settled in the outskirts of Mtskheta, in the bramble bushes of the king’s garden. Saint Nino inquired as to the whereabouts of our Lord’s Robe, but no one could remember where it had been preserved. In her quest for the Precious Robe, she became acquainted with Elioz’s descendants, the Jewish priest Abiatar and his daughter, Sidonia. Saint Nino converted them to Christianity. Nino was blessed by God with the gift of healing. She healed the afflicted through the name of our crucified Savior and through the grace of the cross formed from grapevines by the Theotokos and bound with strands of Saint Nino’s hair. that time King Mirian ruled Kartli. Following in the footsteps of his ancestors, he worshiped the idol Armazi, but in the depth of his heart he was drawn to the Faith that the holy virgin was preaching. Mirian’s wife, Queen Nana, was the daughter of a famous military leader of Pontus. Thus, the king had received some prior knowledge of the Faith of the Greeks. Queen Nana fell deeply ill, and only through the prayers of Saint Nino was she spared from death. After this miraculous healing, King Mirian became intrigued by the Faith that Saint Nino was preaching, and he began asking the newly enlightened Abiatar about the Holy Scriptures. while he was hunting on Mount Tkhoti near Mtskheta, King Mirian was suddenly gripped by an evil spirit, and he burned with a desire to destroy the Christian people of his land and—above all others— the virgin Nino. But suddenly the sun was eclipsed, and the king was surrounded by darkness. The frightened Mirian prayed to the pagan gods to save him from this terror, but his prayers went unanswered. Then, in utter despair, he began to pray to the Crucified God-man and a miracle occurred: the darkness scattered and the sun shone as before. Raising his hands to the east, Mirian cried out, “Truly Thou art the God preached by Nino, God of gods and King of kings!” returned to the capital, King Mirian went immediately to the bramble bushes where Saint Nino dwelt. He greeted her with great honor and spent several hours seeking her counsel. Upon her recommendation, he sent messengers to Emperor Constantine in Byzantium, requesting that he send priests to baptize the people of Kartli and architects to build churches. happened on June 24 of the year 324, which was a Saturday. King Mirian began to construct a church so that the priests arriving from Constantinople would have a place to serve. Seven columns to support the church were formed from the wood of a cypress tree that had grown in the king’s garden. Six of the columns were erected without a problem, but the seventh could not be moved from the place where it had been carved. Saint Nino and her disciples prayed through the night, and at dawn they watched as a youth, encompassed by a brilliant light, descended from the heavens and raised the column. The miraculous column began to shine and stopped in mid-air at a height of twelve cubits. myrrh began to flow from under the Holy Pillar’s foundations, and the entire population of Mtskheta flocked to that place to receive its blessing. Approaching the Life-giving Pillar, the sick were healed, the blind received sight, and the paralyzed began to walk. that time a certain Bishop John and his suite had arrived from Constantinople. Saint Constantine the Great sent a cross, an icon of the Savior, a fragment from the Life-giving Cross of our Lord (from the place where His feet lay), and a nail from His Crucifixion as gifts to the newly enlightened King Mirian and his people. the confluence of the Mtkvari and Aragvi Rivers in Mtskheta, the king and queen, the royal court, and all the people of Kartli were baptized into the Christian Faith. After the glorious baptism, Bishop John and his retinue from Constantinople set off toward southern Georgia, for the village of Erusheti. There they built churches and presented the Christian community with the nail from our Lord’s Crucifixion. Soon after, they began to construct Manglisi Church and placed the fragment from the Life-giving Cross inside. Mirian wanted to keep some of the newly obtained sacred objects in the capital city, but Saint Nino informed him that one of the holiest objects, the Robe of our Savior, was already located in Mtskheta. The king summoned the priest Abiatar and inquired about the Robe, then rejoiced greatly after Abiatar confirmed Saint Nino’s words that the Robe of the Lord was held in the embrace of Sidonia, who was buried under the stump of the cypress tree which now served as the pedestal for the Life-giving Pillar. that time a lush, sweet-smelling, wonderworking tree grew up on a mountain over Mtskheta and, at Bishop John’s suggestion, Prince Revi, the son of King Mirian, ordered that the tree be chopped down and a cross formed from its wood. The tree was chopped down and replanted, without its roots, next to a church that was under construction. For thirty-seven days the tree retained its original appearance—even its leaves did not fade or wither. Then, after thirty-seven days had passed, three crosses were formed from its wood. many days after this miracle the people of Mtskheta saw a vision: during the night a fiery cross shone above the church, surrounded by stars. When morning came, two of the stars had moved away from the cross in opposite directions—one to the west and the other to the east. The fiery cross headed to the north, stopped for some time over the hill on the other side of the River Aragvi, then disappeared. Nino advised King Mirian to erect one of the three crosses in the west, on Tkhoti Mountain, and another in the east, in the village of Ujarma. But it was unclear where the third cross should be erected, so King Mirian prayerfully beseeched the Lord to reveal to him the place. Lord heard his prayers and sent an angel to show him the place: a rocky hill to the north of the capital, at the confluence of the Aragvi and Mtkvari Rivers. Today this hill is called Jvari (Cross) and upon it towers the magnificent church of Jvari Monastery. At the moment the cross was erected on this hill, all the idols in Mtskheta fell and shattered to pieces. to his death King Mirian blessed his heir, Prince Bakar, and urged him to dedicate his life to the Holy Trinity and fight ceaselessly against idolaters. Then he peacefully reposed in the Lord. to his will, Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles King Mirian was buried in the upper church at Samtavro, where today a convent in honor of Saint Nino is located. The king was too modest to be buried in the lower church, the Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, in which the Life-giving Pillar had been preserved. Nana reposed two years later and was buried next to her husband.

Georgia, 33 AD, Elioz (Elias) of Mtskheta, traveled to Jerusalem, brought back the robe
Georgia, 33 AD, Elioz (Elias) of response to the envoy’s request and at the recommendation of the Jewish Sanhedrin, Elioz of Mtskheta and Longinoz of Karsani were chosen to journey to Jerusalem. Elioz of Mtskheta was born to a pious family, and as his mother prepared him for the journey, she tearfully begged him not to take any part in the spilling of the blood of the Messiah. the Roman soldiers were nailing our Savior to the Cross on Golgotha, Elioz’s mother miraculously heard each strike of the hammer. She cried out in fear, “Farewell majesty of the Jews! For inasmuch as you have killed your Savior and Redeemer, henceforth you have become your own enemies!” With this she breathed her last. Georgia, AD 33, Robe of the Lord, Seamless robe of Jesus; St Sidonia of Georgia, Commemorated on October 1;

Georgia, 33 AD, Mary, Mother of God (Most Holy Theotokos), Georgia Protector, sent her icon instead with Andrew
Georgia, 33 AD, Mary, Mother of God (Most Holy Theotokos), Georgia Protector; the disciples of Christ cast lots after Pentecost, the lot for evangelizing Georgia fell to the Most Holy Theotokos. But Christ revealed to His Mother that it was not His will for her to preach there. “You have been entrusted to protect the Georgian nation,” He said, “but the role of evangelizing that land belongs to My disciple Andrew the First-called. Send him with an image of your face “Not-Made-By-Hands” to protect the Georgian people to the end of the ages!” Saint Sidonia of Georgia, Commemorated on October 1 ; Jerusalem Saint, 18 BC-62AD, Mary, Mother of God; The Nativity of our Most Holy Lady the Mother of God and Ever-Virgin Mary, Commemorated on September 8; The Dormition of our Most Holy Lady the Mother of God and Ever-Virgin Mary, Commemorated on August 15;

Georgia, 33 AD, Saint Andrew the First Called, with icon called to Georgia by Jesus
Georgia, 33 AD, Saint Andrew the First Called Georgia, AD 33, Robe of the Lord, Seamless robe of Jesus; St Sidonia of Georgia, Commemorated on October 1; the disciples of Christ cast lots after Pentecost, the lot for evangelizing Georgia fell to the Most Holy Theotokos. But Christ revealed to His Mother that it was not His will for her to preach there. “You have been entrusted to protect the Georgian nation,” He said, “but the role of evangelizing that land belongs to My disciple Andrew the First-called. Send him with an image of your face “Not-Made-By-Hands” to protect the Georgian people to the end of the ages!” St. Ephraim the Lesser, Commemorated on January 18;

Georgia, 33 AD, Apostle Matthias, preaching in Western Georgia, drank deadly poison unharmed
Georgia, 33 AD, Apostle Matthias ; Georgia, 33 AD, Saint Andrew the First Called Georgia, AD 33, Robe of the Lord, Seamless robe of Jesus; Apostle Matthias of the Seventy, Commemorated on August 9; to Church Tradition, he was preaching at Pontine Ethiopia (presently Western Georgia) and Macedonia. He was frequently subjected to deadly peril, but the Lord preserved him to preach the Gospel. pagans forced the saint to drink a poison potion. He drank it, and not only did he himself remain unharmed, but he also healed other prisoners who had been blinded by the potion. When Saint Matthias left the prison, the pagans searched for him in vain, for he had become invisible to them. Another time, when the pagans had become enraged intending to kill the Apostle, the earth opened up and engulfed them. Holy Apostle Matthias was born at Bethlehem of the Tribe of Judah. From his early childhood he studied the Law of God under the guidance of Saint Simeon the God-Receiver (February 3). the Lord Jesus Christ revealed Himself to the world, Saint Matthias believed in Him as the Messiah, followed constantly after Him and was numbered among the Seventy Apostles, whom the Lord “sent them two by two before His face” (Luke 10:1). the Ascension of the Savior, Saint Matthias was chosen by lot to replace Judas Iscariot as one of the Twelve Apostles (Acts 1:15-26). After the Descent of the Holy Spirit, the Apostle Matthias preached the Gospel at Jerusalem and in Judea together with the other Apostles (Acts 6:2, 8:14). From Jerusalem he went with the Apostles Peter and Andrew to Syrian Antioch, and was in the Cappadocian city of Tianum and Sinope. Here the Apostle Matthias was locked into prison, from which he was miraculously freed by Saint Andrew the First-Called. Apostle Matthias journeyed after this to Amasea, a city on the shore of the sea. During a three year journey of the Apostle Andrew, Saint Matthias was with him at Edessa and Sebaste. to Church Tradition, he was preaching at Pontine Ethiopia (presently Western Georgia) and Macedonia. He was frequently subjected to deadly peril, but the Lord preserved him to preach the Gospel. pagans forced the saint to drink a poison potion. He drank it, and not only did he himself remain unharmed, but he also healed other prisoners who had been blinded by the potion. When Saint Matthias left the prison, the pagans searched for him in vain, for he had become invisible to them. Another time, when the pagans had become enraged intending to kill the Apostle, the earth opened up and engulfed them. Apostle Matthias returned to Judea and did not cease to enlighten his countrymen with the light of Christ’s teachings. He worked great miracles in the Name of the Lord Jesus and he converted a great many to faith in Christ. Jewish High Priest Ananias hated Christ and earlier had commanded the Apostle James, Brother of the Lord, to be flung down from the heights of the Temple, and now he ordered that the Apostle Matthias be arrested and brought for judgment before the Sanhedrin at Jerusalem. impious Ananias uttered a speech in which he blasphemously slandered the Lord. Using the prophecies of the Old Testament, the Apostle Matthias demonstrated that Jesus Christ is the True God, the promised Messiah, the Son of God, Consubstantial and Coeternal with God the Father. After these words the Apostle Matthias was sentenced to death by the Sanhedrin and stoned. Saint Matthias was already dead, the Jews, to hide their malefaction, cut off his head as an enemy of Caesar. (According to several historians, the Apostle Matthias was crucified, and indicate that he instead died at Colchis.) The Apostle Matthias received the martyr’s crown of glory in the year 63. St Sidonia of Georgia, Commemorated on October 1; St. Ephraim the Lesser, Commemorated on January 18;

Georgia, 33 AD, Apostle Simon the Canaanite, Simon the Zealot, bridegroom at Cana, d in Georgia
Georgia, 33 AD, Apostle Simon the Canaanite, Simon the Zealot ; Moses of Chorene writes that he was martyred at Weriosphora in Caucasian Iberia.[13] Georgia, 33 AD, Apostle Matthias ; Georgia, 33 AD, Saint Andrew the First Called Georgia, AD 33, Robe of the Lord, Seamless robe of Jesus; Apostle Matthias of the Seventy, Commemorated on August 9; St Sidonia of Georgia, Commemorated on October 1; St. Ephraim the Lesser, Commemorated on January 18; Apostle Simon the Zealot, Commemorated on May 10; Simon was from Cana in Galilee, and was known to the Lord and His Mother. Tradition says that he was the bridegroom at the wedding where the Savior performed His first miracle. After witnessing the miracle of the water which had been turned into wine, he became a zealous follower of Christ. For this reason, he is known as Saint Simon the Zealot. Simon was one of the twelve Apostles, and received the Holy Spirit with the others on Pentecost. He traveled to many places from Britain to the Black Sea, proclaiming the Gospel of Christ. After winning many pagans to the Lord, Saint Simon suffered martyrdom by crucifixion. Demetrius of Rostov says that this Saint Simon is to be distinguished from the Apostle Simon Peter, and from the Lord’s relative Simon (Mt.13:55), who was the second Bishop of Jerusalem. Simon is also commemorated on June 30 with the other Apostles.

Georgia, 54-91, Georgian Saint, Bartholomew, finally skinned alive and beheaded to Albanus, Dagestan
Georgian Saint, 54-91, Bartholomew; Armenian King, 54-91, Triadates I; BARTHOLOMEW THE APOSTLE, (24 AUGUST NT); name "Bartholomew" appears in the New Testament only on lists of the names of the twelve apostles. This list normally is given as six pairs, and the third pair in each of the Synoptics is "Philip and Bartholomew" (M 10:3; P 3:18; L 6:14; but A 1:15). gives no list of the Twelve, but refers to more of them individually than the Synoptists. He does not name Bartholomew, but early in his account (John 1:43-50) he tells of the call to discipleship of a Nathaniel who is often supposed to be the same person. The reasoning is as follows: John's Nathanael is introduced as one of the earliest followers of Jesus, and in terms which suggest that he became one of the Twelve. He is clearly not the same as Peter, Andrew, James, John, Philip, Thomas, Judas Iscariot, Judas (not Iscariot, also called Lebbaeus or Thaddeus), all of whom John names separately. He is not Matthew, whose call is described differently (M 9:9). This leaves Bartholomew, James the son of Alpheus, and Simon Zelotes. Of these, Bartholomew is the leading candidate for two reasons: (1) "Bar-tholomew" is a patronymic, meaning "son of Tolmai (or Talmai)." It is therefore likely that he had another name. (A historical novel which may not be well researched informs me that a first-century Jew would be likely to use the patronymic instead of the forename as a mark of respect in speaking to a significantly older Jew.) "Nathanael son of Tolmai" seems more likely than "Nathanael also called James (or Simon)." (2) Nathanael is introduced in John's narrative as a friend of Philip. Since Bartholomew is paired with Philip on three of our four lists of Apostles, it seems likely that they were associated. St. Bartholomew, by Michaelangelo have no certain information about Bartholomew's later life. Some writers, including the historian Eusebius of Caesarea (now Har Qesari, 32:30 N 34:54 E, near Sedot Yam), say that he preached in India. The majority tradition, with varying details, is that Bartholomew preached in Armenia, and was finally skinned alive and beheaded to Albanus or Albanopolis (now Derbent, 42:03 N 48:18 E) on the Caspian Sea. His emblem in art is a flaying knife. The flayed Bartholomew can be seen in Michelangelo's Sistine painting of the Last Judgement. He is holding his skin. The face on the skin is generally considered to be a self-portrait of Michelangelo. by James Kiefer Apostle Bartholomew of the Twelve, Commemorated on June 11 ; Holy Apostle Bartholomew was born at Cana of Galilee and was one of the Twelve Apostles of Christ. After the Descent of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost, it fell by lot to the holy Apostles Bartholomew and Philip (November 14) to preach the Gospel in Syria and Asia Minor. In their preaching they wandered through various cities, and then met up again. Accompanying the holy Apostle Philip was his sister, the holy virgin Saint Mariamnne. the cities of Syria and Myzia, they underwent much hardship and tribulations, they were stoned and they were locked up in prison. In one of the villages they met up with the Apostle John the Theologian, and together they set off to Phrygia. In the city of Hieropolis by the power of their prayers they destroyed an enormous viper, which the pagans worshipped as a god. The holy Apostles Bartholomew and Philip with his sister confirmed their preaching with many miracles. Hieropolis there lived a man by the name of Stachys, who had been blind for 40 years. When he received healing, he then believed in Christ and was baptized. News of this spread throughout the city, and a multitude of the people thronged to the house where the apostles were staying. The sick and those beset by demons were released from their infirmities, and many were baptized. The city prefect gave orders to arrest the preachers and throw them in prison, and to burn down the house of Stachys. At the trial pagan priests came forth with the complaint that the strangers were turning people away from the worship of the ancestral gods. that perhaps some sort of magic power was hidden away in the clothes of the apostles, the prefect gave orders to strip them. But Saint Mariamne became like a fiery torch before their eyes, and none dared touch her. They sentenced the saints to death. The Apostle Philip was crucified upside down. Suddenly there was an earthquake, and a fissure in the earth swallowed up the prefect of the city, together with the pagan priests and many of the people. Others took fright and rushed to take down the apostles from the crosses. Since the Apostle Bartholomew had not been suspended very high, they soon managed to take him down. The Apostle Philip, however, had died. After making Stachys Bishop of Hieropolis, the Apostle Bartholomew and Saint Mariamne left the city and moved on. the Word of God, Mariamne arrived in Lykaonia, where she peacefully died (February 17). The Apostle Bartholomew went to India, where he translated the Gospel of Matthew into their language, and he converted many pagans to Christ. He also visited Greater Armenia (the country between the River Kura and the upper stretches of the Tigrus and Euphrates Rivers), where he worked many miracles and healed the daughter of King Polymios from the demons afflicting her. In gratitude, the king sent gifts to the apostle, who refused to accept them, saying that he sought only the salvation of the souls of mankind. Polymios together with his wife, daughter, and many of those close to them accepted Baptism. And people from more than ten cities of Greater Armenia followed their example. But through the intrigues of the pagan priests, the Apostle Bartholomew was seized by the king’s brother Astiagus in the city of Alban (now the city of Baku), and crucified upside down. But even from the cross he did not cease to proclaim the good news about Christ the Savior. Finally, on orders from Astiagus, they flayed the skin from the Apostle Bartholomew and cut off his head. Believers placed his relics in a leaden coffin and buried him. about the year 508 the holy relics of the Apostle Bartholomew were transferred to Mesopotamia, to the city of Dara. When the Persians seized the city in 574, Christians took the relics of the Apostle Bartholomew with them when they fled to the shores of the Black Sea. But since the enemy overtook them there, they were compelled to leave the coffin behind, and the pagans threw it into the sea. By the power of God the coffin miraculously arrived on the island of Lipari. In the ninth century, after the taking of the island by the Arabs, the holy relics were transferred to the Neapolitan city of Beneventum in Italy, and in the tenth century part of the relics were transferred to Rome. holy Apostle Bartholomew is mentioned in the Life of Saint Joseph the Hymnographer (April 4). Having received from a certain man part of the relics of the Apostle Bartholomew, Saint Joseph conveyed them to his own monastery near Constantinople, and he built a church in the name of the Apostle Bartholomew, placing in it a portion of the relics. Saint Joseph ardently desired to compose hymns of praise in honor of the saint, and he fervently besought God to grant him the ability to do so. the Feast day in memory of the Apostle Bartholomew, Saint Joseph saw him at the altar. He beckoned to Joseph and took the holy Gospel from the altar table and pressed it to his bosom with the words, “May the Lord bless you, and may your song delight the whole world.” And from that time Saint Joseph began to write hymns and canons to adorn not only the Feast day of the Apostle Bartholomew, but also the Feast days of many other saints, composing about 300 canons in all. Saints John Chrysostom, Cyril of Alexandria, Epiphanius of Cyprus and certain other teachers of the Church regard the Apostle Bartholomew as being the same person as Nathanael (John 1:45-51, 21:2).

Georgia, 200, 3rd Century Folder, St Nino, King Mirian III, St George, Christian Georgia

Georgia, 284-361, King Mirian III of Iberia (Converted by St Nino who healed his Queen)
Georgia, 284-361, King Mirian III of Iberia (Converted by St Nino); Commemoration of the apparition of the Pillar with the Robe of the Lord under it at Mtskheta in Georgia, Commemorated on October 1; the reign of King Aderki of Kartli, the Jewish diaspora in Mtskheta learned that a wondrous Child had been born in Jerusalem. Then, thirty years later, a man came from Jerusalem to deliver this message: “The youth has grown up. He calls Himself the Son of God and preaches to us the New Covenant. We have sent envoys to every Jewish diaspora to urge the scholars of the religion to come to Jerusalem and judge what measures should be taken in regard to this matter.” response to the envoy’s request and at the recommendation of the Jewish Sanhedrin, Elioz of Mtskheta and Longinoz of Karsani were chosen to journey to Jerusalem. Elioz of Mtskheta was born to a pious family, and as his mother prepared him for the journey, she tearfully begged him not to take any part in the spilling of the blood of the Messiah. the Roman soldiers were nailing our Savior to the Cross on Golgotha, Elioz’s mother miraculously heard each strike of the hammer. She cried out in fear, “Farewell majesty of the Jews! For inasmuch as you have killed your Savior and Redeemer, henceforth you have become your own enemies!” With this she breathed her last. St. Sidonia the soldiers had cast lots for the Robe of our Lord, it was acquired by Elioz and Longinoz, and with great honor they carried it back with them to Mtskheta. Upon their arrival, Elioz met his sister Sidonia, who took from him the Sacred Robe. With much grief she listened to the story of our Savior’s Crucifixion, clutched the Robe to her breast, and immediately gave up her spirit. miracles were worked by the Robe, and news of this flashed like lightning throughout Mtskheta. King Aderki had a great desire to possess the Robe but, frightened by the miracles, he did not attempt to free it from Sidonia’s embrace. Elioz was obliged to bury his sister and the Precious Robe together. A cypress tree grew up on Sidonia’s grave. When the disciples of Christ cast lots after Pentecost, the lot for evangelizing Georgia fell to the Most Holy Theotokos. But Christ revealed to His Mother that it was not His will for her to preach there. “You have been entrusted to protect the Georgian nation,” He said, “but the role of evangelizing that land belongs to My disciple Andrew the First-called. Send him with an image of your face “Not-Made-By-Hands” to protect the Georgian people to the end of the ages!” to the will of God and the blessing of the Theotokos, Saint Andrew the First-called set off for Georgia to preach the Christian Faith. He entered Georgia from the southwest, in the region of Atchara, and subsequently preached in every region of the nation. He established a hierarchy for the Georgian Church and then returned to Jerusalem for Pascha. When he visited Georgia for the second time, the Apostle Andrew was accompanied by the Apostles Matthias and Simon the Canaanite. passed and, under threat from Persian fire-worshippers and other pagan communities, the memory of Christ faded from the minds of the Georgian people. at the beginning of the 4th century, according to God’s will and the blessing of the Most Holy Theotokos, the holy virgin Nino arrived in Kartli to preach the Christian Faith. She settled in the outskirts of Mtskheta, in the bramble bushes of the king’s garden. Saint Nino inquired as to the whereabouts of our Lord’s Robe, but no one could remember where it had been preserved. In her quest for the Precious Robe, she became acquainted with Elioz’s descendants, the Jewish priest Abiatar and his daughter, Sidonia. Saint Nino converted them to Christianity. Nino was blessed by God with the gift of healing. She healed the afflicted through the name of our crucified Savior and through the grace of the cross formed from grapevines by the Theotokos and bound with strands of Saint Nino’s hair. that time King Mirian ruled Kartli. Following in the footsteps of his ancestors, he worshiped the idol Armazi, but in the depth of his heart he was drawn to the Faith that the holy virgin was preaching. Mirian’s wife, Queen Nana, was the daughter of a famous military leader of Pontus. Thus, the king had received some prior knowledge of the Faith of the Greeks. Queen Nana fell deeply ill, and only through the prayers of Saint Nino was she spared from death. After this miraculous healing, King Mirian became intrigued by the Faith that Saint Nino was preaching, and he began asking the newly enlightened Abiatar about the Holy Scriptures. while he was hunting on Mount Tkhoti near Mtskheta, King Mirian was suddenly gripped by an evil spirit, and he burned with a desire to destroy the Christian people of his land and—above all others— the virgin Nino. But suddenly the sun was eclipsed, and the king was surrounded by darkness. The frightened Mirian prayed to the pagan gods to save him from this terror, but his prayers went unanswered. Then, in utter despair, he began to pray to the Crucified God-man and a miracle occurred: the darkness scattered and the sun shone as before. Raising his hands to the east, Mirian cried out, “Truly Thou art the God preached by Nino, God of gods and King of kings!” returned to the capital, King Mirian went immediately to the bramble bushes where Saint Nino dwelt. He greeted her with great honor and spent several hours seeking her counsel. Upon her recommendation, he sent messengers to Emperor Constantine in Byzantium, requesting that he send priests to baptize the people of Kartli and architects to build churches. happened on June 24 of the year 324, which was a Saturday. King Mirian began to construct a church so that the priests arriving from Constantinople would have a place to serve. Seven columns to support the church were formed from the wood of a cypress tree that had grown in the king’s garden. Six of the columns were erected without a problem, but the seventh could not be moved from the place where it had been carved. Saint Nino and her disciples prayed through the night, and at dawn they watched as a youth, encompassed by a brilliant light, descended from the heavens and raised the column. The miraculous column began to shine and stopped in mid-air at a height of twelve cubits. myrrh began to flow from under the Holy Pillar’s foundations, and the entire population of Mtskheta flocked to that place to receive its blessing. Approaching the Life-giving Pillar, the sick were healed, the blind received sight, and the paralyzed began to walk. that time a certain Bishop John and his suite had arrived from Constantinople. Saint Constantine the Great sent a cross, an icon of the Savior, a fragment from the Life-giving Cross of our Lord (from the place where His feet lay), and a nail from His Crucifixion as gifts to the newly enlightened King Mirian and his people. the confluence of the Mtkvari and Aragvi Rivers in Mtskheta, the king and queen, the royal court, and all the people of Kartli were baptized into the Christian Faith. After the glorious baptism, Bishop John and his retinue from Constantinople set off toward southern Georgia, for the village of Erusheti. There they built churches and presented the Christian community with the nail from our Lord’s Crucifixion. Soon after, they began to construct Manglisi Church and placed the fragment from the Life-giving Cross inside. Mirian wanted to keep some of the newly obtained sacred objects in the capital city, but Saint Nino informed him that one of the holiest objects, the Robe of our Savior, was already located in Mtskheta. The king summoned the priest Abiatar and inquired about the Robe, then rejoiced greatly after Abiatar confirmed Saint Nino’s words that the Robe of the Lord was held in the embrace of Sidonia, who was buried under the stump of the cypress tree which now served as the pedestal for the Life-giving Pillar. that time a lush, sweet-smelling, wonderworking tree grew up on a mountain over Mtskheta and, at Bishop John’s suggestion, Prince Revi, the son of King Mirian, ordered that the tree be chopped down and a cross formed from its wood. The tree was chopped down and replanted, without its roots, next to a church that was under construction. For thirty-seven days the tree retained its original appearance—even its leaves did not fade or wither. Then, after thirty-seven days had passed, three crosses were formed from its wood. many days after this miracle the people of Mtskheta saw a vision: during the night a fiery cross shone above the church, surrounded by stars. When morning came, two of the stars had moved away from the cross in opposite directions—one to the west and the other to the east. The fiery cross headed to the north, stopped for some time over the hill on the other side of the River Aragvi, then disappeared. Nino advised King Mirian to erect one of the three crosses in the west, on Tkhoti Mountain, and another in the east, in the village of Ujarma. But it was unclear where the third cross should be erected, so King Mirian prayerfully beseeched the Lord to reveal to him the place. Lord heard his prayers and sent an angel to show him the place: a rocky hill to the north of the capital, at the confluence of the Aragvi and Mtkvari Rivers. Today this hill is called Jvari (Cross) and upon it towers the magnificent church of Jvari Monastery. At the moment the cross was erected on this hill, all the idols in Mtskheta fell and shattered to pieces. to his death King Mirian blessed his heir, Prince Bakar, and urged him to dedicate his life to the Holy Trinity and fight ceaselessly against idolaters. Then he peacefully reposed in the Lord. to his will, Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles King Mirian was buried in the upper church at Samtavro, where today a convent in honor of Saint Nino is located. The king was too modest to be buried in the lower church, the Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, in which the Life-giving Pillar had been preserved. Nana reposed two years later and was buried next to her husband. St Sidonia of Georgia, Commemorated on October 1; Martyrdom of the Great-martyr George of Georgia, Commemorated on November 10; St Nino (Nina), Equal of the Apostles and Enlightener of Georgia, Commemorated on January 14 ; Venerable Salome of Ujarma, Commemorated on January 15; St Prochorus of Georgia, Commemorated on February 12; The Entrance of St Nino (Nina) the Enlightener into Georgia, Commemorated on May 19; Martyr Orentius, one of the seven martyred brothers in Georgia, Commemorated on June 24;

Georgia, 292-303, Saint George, Nino's Kin in Cappadocian, Armenia, greatmartyr George of Georgia
Georgia, 295-303, Saint George ; Founding of the Church of St George, Commemorated on November 10; Martyrdom of the Great-martyr George of Georgia, Commemorated on November 10; St Nino (Nina), Equal of the Apostles and Enlightener of Georgia, Commemorated on January 14 ; Venerable Salome of Ujarma, Commemorated on January 15;

Georgia, 297-361, Salome & Perozhavra, both queens, helpers closest companions oNino, converted by her, they wrote her history
Armenia, 297-361, Georgian Saints Salome & Perozhavra, both queens, helpers closest companions oNino, both converted by her, they wrote her history, Salome wife oRevi, son oMirian, Perozhavra married to Kartli ruler, Nino taught them prayer fasting good works, social status helped Nino spread faith, After conversion oKartli, Nino inspired Salome erected cross iUjarma, Kakheti, bOrder oMiriam, Nino fell ill in Bodbe, queens stood by her bed, tell us our Queen, how did you come to our country, where were you raised, tell us how to continue, what shall we do, So, Salome&Perozhavra wrote Nino's life Armenia, Georgian Saint, 297-361, Salome of Armenia ; Venerable Salome oUjarma, Commemorated on January 15; Salome of Ujarma and Perozhavra of Sivnia were the helpers and closest companions of Saint Nino, Enlightener of Georgia. Nino herself had converted them to the Christian Faith. was the wife of Revi, the son of King Mirian, Perozhavra was married to the ruler of the Kartli region. women were queens, they succeeded in serving Saint Nino while retaining their imperial roles. Nino taught them to pray, and the women fasted regularly and performed good works. As a result of their influential social status, the two queens were able to help Saint Nino tremendously in spreading the Christian Faith. the conversion of Kartli, with inspiration from Saint Nino and by the order of King Mirian, Saint Salome erected a cross in Ujarma in the Kakheti region. Saint Nino fell ill in the village of Bodbe, queens Salome and Perozhavra stood by her bed and wept bitterly at having to part with their beloved teacher and healer. entreated Saint Nino, who was finishing her last hours on this earth, saying, “Tell us, our Queen, how did you come to our country to free our souls, and where were you raised? us how to continue your good works. You who have delivered us from bondage to the enemy, us, what shall we do?” the information that Saint Nino then related to them, Salome and Perozhavra wrote The Life of Saint Nino, Enlightener of Georgia. Apostolic Orthodox Church of Georgia commemorates them on January 15, the day following the commemoration of Saint Nino.

Georgia, 300, 4th Century Folder, St and Queen, Salome of Ujarma with Nino

Georgia, 303, Martyrdom oSaint George, intessor all Christians, appeared Georgian battles, tortured on wheel
Georgia, 303, Martyrdom oSaint George, Nino's Kin in Cappadocian, Armenia, slain by Diocletian, intessor all Christians, Georgian protector celebrated every day there, appeared Georgian battles, majority Georgian church names, tortured on wheel Nov 10, day established bNino as special protector; Georgia, 295-303, Saint George ; Martyrdom of the Great-martyr George of Georgia, Commemorated on November 10; by the whole Christian world, Great-martyr George was slain by Emperor Diocletian in the year 303. holy martyr is appropriately considered the intercessor for all Christians and the patron saint of many. is regarded with special reverence among the Georgian people, since he is believed to be the special protector of their nation. accounts often describe how Saint George appeared among the Georgian soldiers in the midst of battles. majority of Georgian churches (in villages especially) were built in his honor and, a result, every day there is a feast of the great-martyr George somewhere in Georgia. The various daily commemorations are connected to one of the churches erected in his name or an icon or a particular miracle he performed. 10 marks the day on which Saint George was tortured on the wheel. to tradition, this day of commemoration was established by the holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Nino, the Enlightener of Georgia. Nino was a relative of Saint George the Trophy-bearer. revered him deeply and directed the people she had converted to Christianity to cherish him as their special protector.

Georgia, 316-361, Saint Nino of Cappadocia, Armenia&Jerusalem, wanted kiss tRobe in Georgia, but MOG sent her tConvert Georgia
Armenia, 316-361, Armenian Saint, Nino, George's Kin, to Georgia for the Robe, virgin, fCappadocia, then Jerusalem a12, J Patriarch Junival's neice, father mother became monastics, raised by old woman who told her about Christ's robe ending up in Pagan Georgia, so Nino prayed MOG blessing travel tG tKiss Robe she had woven, MOG appeared in dream, Go that country assigned me by lot, Preach Gospel, he will send his grace, I will protect you, But Nino overwhelmed bResponsibility, How can I do it, How can I believe this vision, MOG gave her grapevine cross, receive this cross as a shield visible invisible enemies, Nino woke holding cross, rejoiced, told uncle J, he prayed for her to get to go preach Resurrection, guided by Lord, refuge, spiritual Father, Enlighten her like Apostles, with wisdom tProclaim glad tidings, Lord sent Nino tRome, she met&baptized princess Rhipsimia&hNurse, christian persecuter emperor Diocletian wanted marry R, but Nino, Rhipsima, nurse Gaiana & 50 other virgins escaped to Armenia, D sent soldiers after and warned A King Tridates, T found them and like D wanted marry R, But R refused so T had her tortured tDeath wG&50 other virgins, Nino, however, greater task, escaped hiding rose bushes, tGeorgia, greeted by Mtskhetan shepherds Lake Paravani, she received blessing preach Lake P Pagans, tUrbnisi, 1Month, tMtskheta wGeorgians going there tKiss pagan Idol, sad that people trembled before idol, she prayed Lord send mercy this nation that all nations glorify thee alone, suddenly violent wind&hail shattered pagan statues, worshipers fled across city, Nino made home beneath bramble bush Kings garden, wChildless Royal Gardener's family, through Nino's prayers God granted child, couple rejoice converted, followed Nino, many converted bNino's preaching, even terminally ill Queen Nana healed after her conversion, King Mirian not pleased, decided kill all Christians including wife, but while hunting it became very dark, greatly afraid prayed to Pagan gods, unanswered, lost hope, miraculously turned to Christ, illume this night, guide my footsteps, and I will declare your Name, erect a cross, and kiss it, and construct a temple, I vow obedient to Nino and faith Roman People, Suddenly sun shone radiantly and King Mirian thanked Creator, he returned city immediately told Nino his decision, So by equal tApostles Nino's labors Georgia established solidly as Christian nation, N reposed in Bodbe, eastern Georgia, Mirian erected church there; Armenian Saint, 316-340, Nino; St Nino (Nina), Equal of the Apostles and Enlightener of Georgia, Commemorated on January 14; virgin Nino of Cappadocia a relative of Great-martyr George the only daughter of a widely respected and honorable couple. father was a Roman army chief by the name of Zabulon, her mother, Sosana, the sister of Patriarch Juvenal of Jerusalem. Nino reached the age of twelve, her parents sold all their possessions and moved to Jerusalem. after, Nino’s father was tonsured a monk. He bid farewell to his family and went to labor in the wilderness of the Jordan. Sosana had been separated from her husband, Juvenal ordained her a deaconess. left her daughter Nino in the care of an old woman, Sara Niaphor, raised her in the Christian Faith and related to her the stories of Christ’s life and His suffering on earth. was from Sara that Nino learned how Christ’s Robe had arrived in Georgia, a country of pagans. Nino began to pray fervently to the Theotokos, asking for her blessing to travel to Georgia be made worthy to venerate the Sacred Robe that she had woven for her beloved Son. Most Holy Virgin heard her prayers and appeared to Nino in a dream, saying, “Go to the country that was assigned to me by lot preach the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. will send down His grace upon you and I will be your protector.” the blessed Nino was overwhelmed at the thought of such a great responsibility answered, “How can I, a fragile woman, perform such a momentous task, how can I believe that this vision is real?” response, the Most Holy Theotokos presented her with a cross of grapevines proclaimed, “Receive this cross as a shield against visible and invisible enemies!” she awoke, Nino was holding the cross in her hands. dampened it with tears of rejoicing and tied it securely with strands of her own hair. (According to another source, the Theotokos bound the grapevine cross with strands of her own hair.) related the vision to her uncle, Patriarch Juvenal, revealed to him her desire to preach the Gospel in Georgia. led her in front of the Royal Doors, laid his hands on her, and prayed, “O Lord, God of Eternity, I beseech Thee on behalf of my orphaned niece: Grant that, according to Thy will, she may go to preach and proclaim Thy Holy Resurrection. Christ God, be Thou to her a guide, a refuge, and a spiritual father. as Thou didst enlighten the Apostles and all those who feared Thy name, do Thou also enlighten her with the wisdom to proclaim Thy glad tidings.” Nino arrived in Rome, she met and baptized the princess Rhipsimia and her nurse, Gaiana. At that time the Roman emperor was Diocletian, a ruler infamous for persecuting Christians. Diocletian (284-305) fell in love with Rhipsimia and resolved to marry her, but Saint Nino, Rhipsimia, Gaiana, and fifty other virgins escaped to Armenia. The furious Diocletian ordered his soldiers to follow them and sent a messenger to Tiridates, the Armenian king (286-344), to put him on guard. Tiridates located the women and, following Diocletian’s example, was charmed by Rhipsimia’s beauty and resolved to marry her. But Saint Rhipsimia would not consent to wed him, and in his rage the king had her tortured to death with Gaiana and the fifty other virgins. Saint Nino, however, was being prepared for a different, greater task, and she succeeded in escaping King Tiridates’ persecutions by hiding among some rose bushes. she finally arrived in Georgia, Saint Nino was greeted by a group of Mtskhetan shepherds near Lake Paravani, she received a blessing from God to preach to the pagans of this region. the help of her acquaintances Saint Nino soon reached the city of Urbnisi. remained there a month, traveled to Mtskheta with a group of Georgians who were making a pilgrimage to venerate the pagan idol Armazi. she watched with great sadness as the Georgian people trembled before the idols. was exceedingly sorrowful and prayed to the Lord, “O Lord, send down Thy mercy upon this nation...that all nations may glorify Thee alone, the One True God, through Thy Son, Jesus Christ.” a violent wind began to blow and hail fell from the sky, shattering the pagan statues. terrified worshipers fled, scattering across the city. Nino made her home beneath a bramble bush in the garden of the king, the family of the royal gardener. gardener and his wife were childless, through Saint Nino’s prayers God granted them a child. couple rejoiced exceedingly, declared Christ to be the True God, became disciples of Saint Nino. Saint Nino went, those who heard her preach converted to the Christian Faith in great numbers. Nino even healed the terminally ill Queen Nana she declared Christ to be the True God. Mirian, a pagan, was not at all pleased with the great impression Saint Nino’s preaching had made on the Georgian nation. day while he was out hunting, he resolved to kill all those who followed Christ. to his wicked scheme, even his wife, Queen Nana, would face death for failing to renounce the Christian Faith. in the midst of the hunt, it suddenly became very dark. alone, King Mirian became greatly afraid and prayed in vain for the help of the pagan gods. his prayers went unanswered, he finally lost hope miraculously, he turned to Christ: “God of Nino, illumine this night for me and guide my footsteps, I will declare Thy Holy Name. will erect a cross venerate it and I will construct for Thee a temple. vow to be obedient to Nino and to the Faith of the Roman people!” the night was transfigured, the sun shone radiantly, King Mirian gave great thanks to the Creator. he returned to the city, he immediately informed Saint Nino of his decision. a result of the unceasing labors of Equal-to-the-Apostles Nino, was established as a nation solidly rooted in the Christian Faith. Nino reposed in the village of Bodbe in eastern Georgia according to her will, she was buried in the place where she took her last breath. Mirian later erected a church in honor of Saint George over her grave.

Georgia, 317, The Healer Icon, dreadful I, putrified tongue, prayer, guardian angel, bedside MOG
Georgia, 317, The Healer Icon; original icon known as “Tselitel’nitsa,” or “The Healer” was from the Tsilkan church in Kartali, Georgia. It was painted at the time of Saint Nino (January 14). is another icon with the same name in the Alexeev women’s monastery in Moscow, and many miracles took place before it at the end of the eightheenth century. Saint Demetrius of Rostov (September 21 and October 28) relates a story about this icon in his book THE BEDEWED FLEECE. cleric of the Navarninsky church, Vincent Bulvinensky, was in the habit of venerating the icon of the Mother of God whenever he entered the church. He would also recite the following prayer before the icon: “Hail, Virgin Theotokos full of grace, the Lord is with Thee. Blessed is the womb which bore Christ, and the breasts which nourished the Lord God, our Savior.” time, he found himself suffering from a dreadful affliction. His tongue began to putrefy, and he passed out from the pain. When he came to himself, he prayed his usual prayer to the Most Holy Theotokos. soon as he had finished his prayer, he saw a handsome young man at the head of his bed. The sufferer realized at once that this was his guardian angel. The angel looked at him with pity, calling on the Mother of God to heal him. Suddenly, the Theotokos appeared and healed the sick man who was so devoted to Her. He got out of bed and went to church, taking his place on the cliros for the service. Those present were astonished to see his recovery. miracle inspired the painting of “The Healer” icon depicting the Mother of God standing at the bed of the sick man. Tsilkani Church, (Probably near Ksani Fortress, Ksani River 2); Icon of the Mother of God €œthe Healer€, Commemorated on September 18 ; St Jesse, Bishop of Tsilkan in Georgia, Commemorated December 2; St John Zedazneli of Zaden, in Georgia with his 12 Disciples, Commemorated on May 7;

Georgia, 324, June 24, Pillar with Robe under it, Apparition, church, seven coloumns, youth from h, Fiery cross
Georgia, 324, June 24, Pillar with Robe under it; returned to the capital, King Mirian went immediately to the bramble bushes where Saint Nino dwelt. He greeted her with great honor and spent several hours seeking her counsel. Upon her recommendation, he sent messengers to Emperor Constantine in Byzantium, requesting that he send priests to baptize the people of Kartli and architects to build churches. happened on June 24 of the year 324, which was a Saturday. King Mirian began to construct a church so that the priests arriving from Constantinople would have a place to serve. Seven columns to support the church were formed from the wood of a cypress tree that had grown in the king’s garden. Six of the columns were erected without a problem, but the seventh could not be moved from the place where it had been carved. Saint Nino and her disciples prayed through the night, and at dawn they watched as a youth, encompassed by a brilliant light, descended from the heavens and raised the column. The miraculous column began to shine and stopped in mid-air at a height of twelve cubits. myrrh began to flow from under the Holy Pillar’s foundations, and the entire population of Mtskheta flocked to that place to receive its blessing. Approaching the Life-giving Pillar, the sick were healed, the blind received sight, and the paralyzed began to walk. that time a certain Bishop John and his suite had arrived from Constantinople. Saint Constantine the Great sent a cross, an icon of the Savior, a fragment from the Life-giving Cross of our Lord (from the place where His feet lay), and a nail from His Crucifixion as gifts to the newly enlightened King Mirian and his people. the confluence of the Mtkvari and Aragvi Rivers in Mtskheta, the king and queen, the royal court, and all the people of Kartli were baptized into the Christian Faith. After the glorious baptism, Bishop John and his retinue from Constantinople set off toward southern Georgia, for the village of Erusheti. There they built churches and presented the Christian community with the nail from our Lord’s Crucifixion. Soon after, they began to construct Manglisi Church and placed the fragment from the Life-giving Cross inside. Mirian wanted to keep some of the newly obtained sacred objects in the capital city, but Saint Nino informed him that one of the holiest objects, the Robe of our Savior, was already located in Mtskheta. The king summoned the priest Abiatar and inquired about the Robe, then rejoiced greatly after Abiatar confirmed Saint Nino’s words that the Robe of the Lord was held in the embrace of Sidonia, who was buried under the stump of the cypress tree which now served as the pedestal for the Life-giving Pillar. that time a lush, sweet-smelling, wonderworking tree grew up on a mountain over Mtskheta and, at Bishop John’s suggestion, Prince Revi, the son of King Mirian, ordered that the tree be chopped down and a cross formed from its wood. The tree was chopped down and replanted, without its roots, next to a church that was under construction. For thirty-seven days the tree retained its original appearance—even its leaves did not fade or wither. Then, after thirty-seven days had passed, three crosses were formed from its wood. many days after this miracle the people of Mtskheta saw a vision: during the night a fiery cross shone above the church, surrounded by stars. When morning came, two of the stars had moved away from the cross in opposite directions—one to the west and the other to the east. The fiery cross headed to the north, stopped for some time over the hill on the other side of the River Aragvi, then disappeared. Nino advised King Mirian to erect one of the three crosses in the west, on Tkhoti Mountain, and another in the east, in the village of Ujarma. But it was unclear where the third cross should be erected, so King Mirian prayerfully beseeched the Lord to reveal to him the place. Lord heard his prayers and sent an angel to show him the place: a rocky hill to the north of the capital, at the confluence of the Aragvi and Mtkvari Rivers. Today this hill is called Jvari (Cross) and upon it towers the magnificent church of Jvari Monastery. At the moment the cross was erected on this hill, all the idols in Mtskheta fell and shattered to pieces. to his death King Mirian blessed his heir, Prince Bakar, and urged him to dedicate his life to the Holy Trinity and fight ceaselessly against idolaters. Then he peacefully reposed in the Lord. to his will, Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles King Mirian was buried in the upper church at Samtavro, where today a convent in honor of Saint Nino is located. The king was too modest to be buried in the lower church, the Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, in which the Life-giving Pillar had been preserved. Nana reposed two years later and was buried next to her husband. Georgia, 317-332, Saint Nino of Cappadocia, Armenia; Georgia, 317-361, Saint Salome of Armenia; Commemoration of the apparition of the Pillar with the Robe of the Lord under it at Mtskheta in Georgia, Commemorated on October 1; St Sidonia of Georgia, Commemorated on October 1; Founding of the Church of St George, Commemorated on November 10; Martyrdom of the Great-martyr George of Georgia, Commemorated on November 10; St Nino (Nina), Equal of the Apostles and Enlightener of Georgia, Commemorated on January 14 ; Venerable Salome of Ujarma, Commemorated on January 15; The Entrance of St Nino (Nina) the Enlightener into Georgia, Commemorated on May 19; Glorification of the Venerable Zebulon, the father of St Nino Enlightener of Georgia, Commemorated on May 20 ;

Georgia, 324, Emperor Mirian&Empress Nana &Commemoration ot apparition ot Pillar with the Robe under it at Mtskheta, Georgia
Georgia, 324, Emperor Mirian &Empress Nana & Commemoration ot apparition of the Pillar with the Robe under it at Mtskheta, Georgia (Aragvi River Mouth (Kura River 8)), 000 Jewish Diaspora Mtskheta learned wondrous child born Jerusalem, 0030 man delivers message child grown up, calls himself Son oGod, preaches new covenant, diaspora scholars urged come J and judge what measures to take, Elioz oM and Longinoz oKarsani sent tJ, Elioz' mother warned don't kill Messiah, she heard each nail strike & said farewell majesty otJews then she died, E&L go and bring back the Robe wGreat honor, E's sister Sidonia dies clutchin Robe tBreast,, many miracles, king wanted posess Robe but feared miracles, S buried wRobe, Cypress tree oSidonia's grave, disciples cast evangelism lots, Georgia lot falls to MOG but Christ tells her she will protect Georgia but not evangelize theres, send Andrew wImage of your face not made by hands to protect Georgia tEnd of Ages, He entered from SW in Atchara then preached in every region, he established Bishop and returned to J for Pascha, visited second time wMatthias and Somon tCanaanite, years pass, persian threats, christ's memory fades, 317 Nino comes to preach, and look for Robe, no one could remember, E's descendants priest Abiatar&Sidonia, converted them, she heals S through name oJesus & reed cross made by MOG w Nino's hair, King Mirian ruled Kartli, worshiped idol Armazi, drawn to Nino's preaching, his Queen Nana, Pontus Armenia military leader's daughter, so some prior knowledge christianity, Nana healed by Nino, Mirian asks A about scriptures, then M gripped by evil spirit wHunting, but sun suddenly eclipsed, darkness, prayed pagan gods not answered, eclipse ends when praying to crucified god-man, goes to N's bramble bush, asks Constantine for priests &architects, constructs church for priessts w 7 Colums from cypress tree, but 7th c does not move, Nino prayed all night, dawn youth in brilliant light descended&raised the column mid-air 12 yards high, myrrh, sick healed blind sight paralyzed walked, Bisop John fConstan, wGifts, J's icon, piece cross&nail, Kartli people baptized at Mtskheta, John to Erusheti, south Georgia, Manglisi Church there wCross frag, M wanted objects to Capital City Tiblisi, but Nino said holiest object in M wSidonia grave, under new church, wonderworking tree on mountain over Mtskheta, chopped down for 3 Crosses, replanted without roots, original appearance 37 days, many days vision night fiery cross above church surrounded by stars, in morning 2 stars move away opposite directions, Tkhoti in West, Ujarma in East, and after prayer Jvari in South, all M idols fell down moment J cross erected, M buried in upper church Samtavro in North, Nana &Nino's convent there, Svetiskhoveli Cathedral lower church has the life giving Pillar Mtskheta; Equals of the Apostles, Emperor Mirian and Empress Nana of Georgia; Saint Sidonia; the Commemoration of the apparition of the Pillar with the Robe of the Lord under it at Mtskheta in Georgia, Commemorated on October 1; the reign of King Aderki of Kartli, the Jewish diaspora in Mtskheta learned that a wondrous Child had been born in Jerusalem. thirty years later, a man came from Jerusalem to deliver this message: “The youth has grown up. He calls Himself the Son of God and preaches to us the New Covenant. have sent envoys to every Jewish diaspora to urge the scholars of the religion to come to Jerusalem and judge what measures should be taken in regard to this matter.” response to the envoy’s request and at the recommendation of the Jewish Sanhedrin, Elioz of Mtskheta and Longinoz of Karsani were chosen to journey to Jerusalem. of Mtskheta was born to a pious family, and as his mother prepared him for the journey, she tearfully begged him not to take any part in the spilling of the blood of the Messiah. the Roman soldiers were nailing our Savior to the Cross on Golgotha, Elioz’s mother miraculously heard each strike of the hammer. She cried out in fear, “Farewell majesty of the Jews! For inasmuch as you have killed your Savior and Redeemer, henceforth you have become your own enemies!” With this she breathed her last. St. Sidonia the soldiers had cast lots for the Robe of our Lord, it was acquired by Elioz and Longinoz, and with great honor they carried it back with them to Mtskheta. their arrival, Elioz met his sister Sidonia, who took from him the Sacred Robe. much grief she listened to the story of our Savior’s Crucifixion, clutched the Robe to her breast, and immediately gave up her spirit. miracles were worked by the Robe, and news of this flashed like lightning throughout Mtskheta. Aderki had a great desire to possess the Robe but, frightened by the miracles, he did not attempt to free it from Sidonia’s embrace. was obliged to bury his sister and the Precious Robe together. cypress tree grew up on Sidonia’s grave. the disciples of Christ cast lots after Pentecost, the lot for evangelizing Georgia fell to the Most Holy Theotokos. Christ revealed to His Mother that it was not His will for her to preach there. “You have been entrusted to protect the Georgian nation,” He said, “but the role of evangelizing that land belongs to My disciple Andrew the First-called. him with an image of your face “Not-Made-By-Hands” to protect the Georgian people to the end of the ages!” to the will of God and the blessing of the Theotokos, Saint Andrew the First-called set off for Georgia to preach the Christian Faith. entered Georgia from the southwest, in the region of Atchara, subsequently preached in every region of the nation. established a hierarchy for the Georgian Church and then returned to Jerusalem for Pascha. he visited Georgia for the second time, the Apostle Andrew was accompanied by the Apostles Matthias and Simon the Canaanite. passed and, under threat from Persian fire-worshippers and other pagan communities, the memory of Christ faded from the minds of the Georgian people. at the beginning of the 4th century, according to God’s will and the blessing of the Most Holy Theotokos, the holy virgin Nino arrived in Kartli to preach the Christian Faith. settled in the outskirts of Mtskheta, in the bramble bushes of the king’s garden. Nino inquired as to the whereabouts of our Lord’s Robe, but no one could remember where it had been preserved. her quest for the Precious Robe, she became acquainted with Elioz’s descendants, the Jewish priest Abiatar and his daughter, Sidonia. Saint Nino converted them to Christianity. Nino was blessed by God with the gift of healing. healed the afflicted through the name of our crucified Savior and through the grace of the cross formed from grapevines by the Theotokos and bound with strands of Saint Nino’s hair. that time King Mirian ruled Kartli. in the footsteps of his ancestors, he worshiped the idol Armazi, but in the depth of his heart he was drawn to the Faith that the holy virgin was preaching. ’s wife, Queen Nana, was the daughter of a famous military leader of Pontus. the king had received some prior knowledge of the Faith of the Greeks. Queen Nana fell deeply ill, and only through the prayers of Saint Nino was she spared from death. this miraculous healing, King Mirian became intrigued by the Faith that Saint Nino was preaching, and he began asking the newly enlightened Abiatar about the Holy Scriptures. while he was hunting on Mount Tkhoti near Mtskheta, King Mirian was suddenly gripped by an evil spirit, and he burned with a desire to destroy the Christian people of his land and—above all others— the virgin Nino. suddenly the sun was eclipsed, and the king was surrounded by darkness. frightened Mirian prayed to the pagan gods to save him from this terror, but his prayers went unanswered. in utter despair, he began to pray to the Crucified God-man and a miracle occurred: the darkness scattered and the sun shone as before. his hands to the east, Mirian cried out, “Truly Thou art the God preached by Nino, God of gods and King of kings!” returned to the capital, King Mirian went immediately to the bramble bushes where Saint Nino dwelt. He greeted her with great honor and spent several hours seeking her counsel. her recommendation, he sent messengers to Emperor Constantine in Byzantium, requesting that he send priests to baptize the people of Kartli and architects to build churches. happened on June 24 of the year 324, which was a Saturday. Mirian began to construct a church so that the priests arriving from Constantinople would have a place to serve. columns to support the church were formed from the wood of a cypress tree that had grown in the king’s garden. of the columns were erected without a problem, the seventh could not be moved from the place where it had been carved. Nino and her disciples prayed through the night, and at dawn they watched as a youth, encompassed by a brilliant light, descended from the heavens and raised the column. The miraculous column began to shine and stopped in mid-air at a height of twelve cubits. myrrh began to flow from under the Holy Pillar’s foundations, and the entire population of Mtskheta flocked to that place to receive its blessing. the Life-giving Pillar, the sick were healed, the blind received sight, and the paralyzed began to walk. that time a certain Bishop John and his suite had arrived from Constantinople. Constantine the Great sent a cross, an icon of the Savior, a fragment from the Life-giving Cross of our Lord (from the place where His feet lay), and a nail from His Crucifixion as gifts to the newly enlightened King Mirian and his people. the confluence of the Mtkvari and Aragvi Rivers in Mtskheta, the king and queen, the royal court, and all the people of Kartli were baptized into the Christian Faith. the glorious baptism, Bishop John and his retinue from Constantinople set off toward southern Georgia, for the village of Erusheti. they built churches and presented the Christian community with the nail from our Lord’s Crucifixion. after, they began to construct Manglisi Church and placed the fragment from the Life-giving Cross inside. Mirian wanted to keep some of the newly obtained sacred objects in the capital city, but Saint Nino informed him that one of the holiest objects, the Robe of our Savior, was already located in Mtskheta. king summoned the priest Abiatar and inquired about the Robe, then rejoiced greatly after Abiatar confirmed Saint Nino’s words that the Robe of the Lord was held in the embrace of Sidonia, who was buried under the stump of the cypress tree which now served as the pedestal for the Life-giving Pillar. that time a lush, sweet-smelling, wonderworking tree grew up on a mountain over Mtskheta at Bishop John’s suggestion, Prince Revi, the son of King Mirian, ordered that the tree be chopped down and a cross formed from its wood. tree was chopped down and replanted, without its roots, next to a church that was under construction. thirty-seven days the tree retained its original appearance—even its leaves did not fade or wither. after thirty-seven days had passed, three crosses were formed from its wood. many days after this miracle the people of Mtskheta saw a vision: the night a fiery cross shone above the church, surrounded by stars. morning came, two of the stars had moved away from the cross in opposite directions—one to the west and the other to the east. fiery cross headed to the north, stopped for some time over the hill on the other side of the River Aragvi, then disappeared. Nino advised King Mirian to erect one of the three crosses in the west, on Tkhoti Mountain, and another in the east, in the village of Ujarma. it was unclear where the third cross should be erected, so King Mirian prayerfully beseeched the Lord to reveal to him the place. Lord heard his prayers and sent an angel to show him the place: a rocky hill to the north of the capital, at the confluence of the Aragvi and Mtkvari Rivers. this hill is called Jvari (Cross) and upon it towers the magnificent church of Jvari Monastery. the moment the cross was erected on this hill, all the idols in Mtskheta fell and shattered to pieces. to his death King Mirian blessed his heir, Prince Bakar, and urged him to dedicate his life to the Holy Trinity and fight ceaselessly against idolaters. Then he peacefully reposed in the Lord. to his will, Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles King Mirian was buried in the upper church at Samtavro, today a convent in honor of Saint Nino is located. The king was too modest to be buried in the lower church, the Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, in which the Life-giving Pillar had been preserved. Nana reposed two years later and was buried next to her husband.

Georgia, 326-361, Saint Salome of Armenia, aka Salome of Ujarma
Georgia, 326-361, Saint Salome of Armenia; Commemoration of the apparition of the Pillar with the Robe of the Lord under it at Mtskheta in Georgia, Commemorated on October 1; St Sidonia of Georgia, Commemorated on October 1; Founding of the Church of St George, Commemorated on November 10; Martyrdom of the Great-martyr George of Georgia, Commemorated on November 10; St Nino (Nina), Equal of the Apostles and Enlightener of Georgia, Commemorated on January 14 ; Venerable Salome of Ujarma, Commemorated on January 15; The Entrance of St Nino (Nina) the Enlightener into Georgia, Commemorated on May 19; Glorification of the Venerable Zebulon, the father of St Nino Enlightener of Georgia, Commemorated on May 20 ;

Georgia, 361-378, Sauromaces II, christian, pro Roman policy, ousted by Saphur II, west restored by Rome, abandoned by R
Georgian King, 361-378, Sauromaces II of Iberia; II, of the Chosroid Dynasty, was a king of Iberia (Kartli, eastern Georgia) from 361 to 363 and diarch from 370 to 378. He is ignored by the Georgian historic tradition, but mentioned by the 4th-century historian of the Roman Empire, Ammianus Marcellinus. He was the first son of Rev II to Salome and brother of Trdat of Iberia. seems to have succeeded on the death of his paternal grandfather, Mirian III, the first Christian king of Iberia, in 361 and pursued pro-Roman policy. 363, he was ousted by the Sassanid king Shapur II who installed Aspacures II (Varaz-Bakur) in his place. Aspacures II was Saurmag's paternal uncle. The Sassanid intervention in the Caucasus eventually drew a Roman response and, later in 370, Roman Emperor Valens sent in the twelve legions—about 12,000 men—under Terentius who restored Saurmag in the western provinces of Iberia adjoining Armenia and Lazica, while Aspacures' successor Mihrdat III was permitted to retain control of the northeastern part of the kingdom. deal was not recognized by Shapur, who regarded it as grounds for war, and resumed hostilities against Rome early in 371.[1] By 378, however, the Gothic War had constrained Rome to abandon Sauromaces; his realm must have ceased to exist as Iberia passed, whole or nearly so, under the Sassanid suzerainty.[2]

Georgia, 365-380, Mihrdat III of Iberia, installed by Saphur II, R legions, kingdom divided, Adrianople, whole k
Georgian King, 365-380, Mihrdat III of Iberia ; III, of the Chosroid Dynasty, was the king of Iberia (Kartli, eastern Georgia) from c. 365 to 380 (diarch 370–378). succeeded his father, Varaz-Bakur known as Aspacures to the contemporaneous historian Ammianus Marcellinus and installed by Shapur II, the Sassanid king of Iran on the place of his nephew Sauromaces. Mihrdat is unknown to Ammianus who continues to refer to him as Aspacures (Amm. 27.12; 30.2). 370, the Iranian intervention in Iberia drew a Roman response, and Ammianus reports an expedition sent by Emperor Valens to restore Sauromaces to the throne of Iberia. When the Roman legions reached the river Cyrus, their commander Terentius and Sauromaces forged a deal with Aspacures to divide the kingdom in two along the river. Aspacures indicated that he had considered defecting to Rome, but feared for the life of his son Vitra, who was by then a hostage at the Sassanid court.[1] He was permitted to retain the control of northeastern Iberia, while Sauromaces was established in southwest. This situation is reflected in Leonti Mroveli’s story of defection of the people of Klarjeti (in Iberia’s southwest) to the Romans.[2] the Roman defeat at Adrianople, Sauromaces was probably expelled in 378 and Aspacures presumably regained the whole kingdom.[3]

Georgia, 380-394, Aspacures III of Iberia, christian, Romans lost Iberia and g p of Armenia
Georgian King, 380-394, Aspacures III of Iberia; III (or Varaz-Bakur II), of the Chosroid Dynasty, was the king of Iberia (Kartli, eastern Georgia) from c. 380 to 394. He was the son and successor of Mirdat III and was married to the daughter of Trdat, his relative and successor. He is credited by the Georgian chronicles with the construction of the church of Tsilkani.[1] During his reign, the Roman Empire signed the Peace of Acilisene with Sassanid Iran in which it admitted to the loss of Iberia and a greater portion of Armenia. His sons were Pharasmanes and Mihrdat.[2]

Georgia, 394-406, Trdat of Iberia, christian, old, tribute to Sassanids, churches, martyred
Georgian King, 394-406, Trdat of Iberia; (Georgian: თრდატი, sometimes Latinized as Tiridates), of the Chosroid Dynasty, was the king of Iberia (Kartli, eastern Georgia) from c. 394 to 406. to the Georgian chronicles, he was a son of Rev II, son of Mirian III, the first Christian king of Iberia and Salome. Trdat's brother was Sauromaces II of Iberia. is reported to have succeeded, already in an advanced age, his relative and son-in-law, Varaz-Bakur II, and to have been forced to pay tribute to the Sassanids. chronicles praise his piety and credit Trdat with the construction of churches at Rustavi and Nekresi.[1] The church founded by Trdat at Nekresi is identified by the archaeologist Nodar Bakhtadze with a ruined basilica uncovered in 1998.[2] Royal Martyr Mirdat, King of Kartli, Commemorated on July 8 ; Mirdat (408-410), the son of Varaz-Bakur, was the first martyred king of Georgia. He was raised by his maternal grandfather, King Trdat. faithful grandfather taught the future king to love God and his nation, and the young prince mindfully preserved his grandfather’s wisdom throughout his life. Mirdat was endowed with the greatest of a nobleman’s virtues: wisdom, discretion, physical prowess, fearlessness, valor, and courage. He liberated Klarjeti from the Byzantines, abolished the tribute system (by which Georgia was required to pay taxes to Persia), and prepared for war against the Persians. Persian king gathered an enormous army to punish the Georgian nation, and King Mirdat courageously marched toward Gardabani (in eastern Georgia) with his much smaller army. But the selflessness and bravery of the Georgian soldiers were no match for the multitude of Persian warriors. The Georgians suffered defeat, and the Persian conquerors captured the young king. Persian king demanded that Mirdat renounce the Christian Faith, but he was firmly rebuffed. Neither intimidation nor fear of persecution would break the will of the king. After torturing him for his love of Christ, the Persians bound him in chains, tormented him almost to death, and cast him into prison, where he gave up his soul to the Lord. martyrdom of King Mirdat took place at the beginning of the 5th century, in the year 410.

Georgia, 400, 5th Century Folder, St King Vakhtan 7ft10in, St Susanna

Georgia, 406-408, Pharasmanes IV of Iberia, pious christian, warrior, withheld tribute, Byzantine court, e white huns
Georgian King, 406-408, Pharasmanes IV of Iberia; IV, of the Chosroid Dynasty, was the king of Iberia (Kartli, eastern Georgia) from 406 to 409. to the medieval Georgian chronicles, he was the son of King Varaz-Bakur II and the daughter of Trdat of Iberia. as a pious monarch and an exceptional warrior, he is reported to have rebelled against the Iranian hegemony and have withheld paying tribute to the shah. He is also credited with the construction of Bolnisi.[1] is identified by some scholars with the Pharasmanes of the Syriac Vita Petri Iberi who was a brother of Osdukhtia, the paternal grandmother of Peter the Iberian, a well-known Georgian theologian and one of the leaders of anti-Chalcedonian movement in the Eastern Roman Empire. enjoyed a leading position at the Roman court and held the rank of a magister militum under Emperor Arcadius until being accused of committing adultery with the empress Eudoxia. He escaped back to Iberia where he became king and encouraged the White Huns to attack the Roman frontiers. was succeeded by his brother, Mihrdat[2]

Georgia, 408-410, King, Mihrdat IV, first martyred Georgian K, opposed Byz and Sassanian, impiety, n building
Georgian King, 408-410, Mihrdat IV of Iberia; IV (Georgian: მირდატ IV, Latinized as Mithridates), of the Chosroid Dynasty, was the king of Iberia (Kartli, eastern Georgia) from c. 409 to 411. was the son of Varaz-Bakur II and the grandson (on his mother’s side) of Trdat. Georgian chronicles criticizes him for impiety and neglect of religious building, and informs us that he opposed both major regional powers, the Roman and Sassanid empires.[1] Defeated by the Sassanid army, he was captured and deported to Iran, where he died. Royal Martyr Mirdat, King of Kartli, Commemorated on July 8 ; Mirdat (408-410), the son of Varaz-Bakur, was the first martyred king of Georgia. He was raised by his maternal grandfather, King Trdat. faithful grandfather taught the future king to love God and his nation, and the young prince mindfully preserved his grandfather’s wisdom throughout his life. Mirdat was endowed with the greatest of a nobleman’s virtues: wisdom, discretion, physical prowess, fearlessness, valor, and courage. He liberated Klarjeti from the Byzantines, abolished the tribute system (by which Georgia was required to pay taxes to Persia), and prepared for war against the Persians. Persian king gathered an enormous army to punish the Georgian nation, and King Mirdat courageously marched toward Gardabani (in eastern Georgia) with his much smaller army. But the selflessness and bravery of the Georgian soldiers were no match for the multitude of Persian warriors. The Georgians suffered defeat, and the Persian conquerors captured the young king. Persian king demanded that Mirdat renounce the Christian Faith, but he was firmly rebuffed. Neither intimidation nor fear of persecution would break the will of the king. After torturing him for his love of Christ, the Persians bound him in chains, tormented him almost to death, and cast him into prison, where he gave up his soul to the Lord. martyrdom of King Mirdat took place at the beginning of the 5th century, in the year 410.

Georgia, 411-435, King, Archil, 2 conflicting versions, Zoroastrianism firm in c Geo, successful rebellion, retal raid
Georgia, 411-435, King, Archil of Iberia; of the Chosroid Dynasty, was the king of Iberia (Kartli, eastern Georgia) from c. 411 to 435. He was the son and successor of King Mirdat IV. two principal medieval Georgian chronicles – The Conversion of Kartli, and The Life of Kartli, – relate conflicting versions of Archil’s reign. former story is extremely brief, but regretfully indicates that the positions of Zoroastrianism, an official Sasanid religion, was firm in Christian Iberia, a testimony to the effectively unchallenged Sasanid hegemony over the country. other chronicle informs us of Archil’s successful rebellion against Iran, his victory over a punitive force and a retaliatory raid into Arran. The authenticity of this latter account has been questioned by modern scholars. is also attested in two Armenian sources: Koryun’s The Life of Mashtots, cap. 18; and Moses of Chorene, III.60.[1]

Georgia, 435-447, King, Mihrdat V of Iberia, pious christian, Vakhtang's father
Georgia, 435-447, King, Mihrdat V of Iberia; V, of the Chosroid Dynasty, was the king of Iberia (Kartli, eastern Georgia) reigning, according to a medieval Georgian literary tradition, for 12 years, from c. 435 to 447 (according to Cyril Toumanoff). was the son and successor of King Archil. The Georgian annals praise Mihrdat for his piety, but provide no details about his reign. He was married to Sagdukht, daughter of Barzabod, Mihranid prince of Gardman, and fathered Vakhtang, his successor.[1]

Georgia, 447-502, King, Vakhtang I of Iberia, alliance with Byzan, reorg Orthodox Church, foundation of Tiblisi
Georgia, 447-502, King, Vakhtang I of Iberia I Gorgasali (c. 439 or 443 – 502 or 522), of the Chosroid dynasty, was a king of Iberia, natively known as Kartli (eastern Georgia) in the second half of the 5th and first quarter of the 6th century. led his people, in an ill-fated alliance with the Byzantine Empire, into a lengthy struggle against Sasanian Iranian hegemony, which ended in Vakhtang's defeat and weakening of the kingdom of Iberia. Tradition also ascribes him reorganization of the Georgian Orthodox Church and foundation of Tbilisi, Georgia's modern capital.[1] Vakhtang's reign is problematic. Ivane Javakhishvili assigns to Vakhtang's rule the dates c. 449–502 while Cyril Toumanoff suggests the dates c. 447–522. Furthermore, Toumanoff identifies Vakhtang with the Iberian king Gurgenes known from Procopius' Wars of Justinian.[2] is a subject of the 8th or 11th century vita attributed to Juansher, which intertwines history and legend into an epic narrative, hyperbolizing Vakhtang's personality and biography. This literary work has been a primary source of Vakhtang's image as an example warrior-king and statesman, which has preserved in popular memory to this day. emerged as one of the most popular figures in Georgia's history already in the Middle Ages[3] and has been canonized by the Georgian Orthodox Church[4] as The Holy and Right-Believing King Vakhtang and is commemorated on December 13 [O.S. November 30].[4]

Georgia, 447-502, King Vakhtang Gorgasali (wolf's head), 7'10", unity for faith motherland, Ossetia v, Byz v, autocephalous Peter
Georgia, 447-502, King Vakhtang Gorgasali (wolf's head), Kartli (town, Tbilisi), K at 15, 7'10", unity selflessness for faith motherland, Ossetia v, Caucasian mt tribe treaties, Byz v in west, life to God, warhorse cary up mt, outrun deer, stress calm, autocephalous c, first catholicos peter, Jerusalem monastery, G forts churches diocese monasteries strongholds royal residence capital Tiblisi, political creed church union w Byz, independence, church nation union, died 502 Pesia battle; Kartli; Saint Vakhtang Gorgasali, King of Georgia, Commemorated on November 30; holy and right-believing king Vakhtang I ascended the throne of Kartli at the age of fifteen. that time Kartli was continually being invaded by the Persians from the south and by the Ossetians from the north. situation was no better in western Georgia: the Byzantines had captured all the lands from Egrisi to Tsikhegoji. his coronation, the young King Vakhtang summoned his court and addressed his dedicated servants with great wisdom. said that the sorrowful circumstances in which the nation had found itself were a manifestation of God’s anger at the sins of the king and the people. called upon everyone to struggle in unity and selflessness on behalf of the Faith and motherland. Vakhtang led a victorious campaign against the Ossetians, freed the captive princess (his older sister), and signed several treaties with the Caucasian mountain tribes to secure their cooperation in the struggle against foreign conquerors. he carried out another campaign in western Georgia, freed that region from the Byzantines, reinforced the authority of King Gubaz, and returned in triumph to Kartli. Vakhtang was remarkable in faith, wisdom, grace, virtue, and appearance (he towered above all others at a stately seven feet ten inches). spent many nights in prayer and distributed alms to the poor, in this way dedicating his life to God. Vakhtang could fight tirelessly in battle. in armor and fully armed, he could carry a war-horse on his shoulders and climb from Mtskheta to the Armazi Fortress in the mountains outside the city. foot he could outrun a deer. holy king was judicious in politics, displayed great composure, and preserved a sense of calm even when critical decisions needed to be made. the brow of Vakhtang’s military helmet was depicted a wolf, and on the back, a lion. a glimpse of the helmet with the wolf and lion, the Persians would cry out to one another: “Dar’ az gurgsar!” (“Beware of the wolf’s head!”) This was the source of King Vakhtang’s appellation “Gorgasali.” King Vakhtang’s reign the Georgian Church was first recognized as autocephalous. the holy king banished the pagan fire-worshippers from Georgia, he also sent a certain Bishop Michael—who was inclined to the Monophysite heresy, which had been planted in Georgia by the Persians—to Constantinople to be tried by the patriarch. bishop had disgracefully cursed the king and his army for rising up against the Monophysites. In fact, he was so infuriated that when King Vakhtang approached him to receive his blessing, he kicked him in the mouth and broke several of his teeth. patriarch of Constantinople subsequently defrocked Bishop Michael and sent him to a monastery to repent. importantly perhaps, the patriarch and the Byzantine emperor then sent to the patriarch of Antioch several clergymen whom King Vakhtang had chosen for consecration. Antioch the patriarch consecrated twelve of these clergymen as bishops and enthroned a certain Petre as the first Catholicos of Georgia. fulfilled the will of Holy King Mirian by founding the Georgian Holy Cross Monastery in Jerusalem. addition, he replaced a wooden church that had been built in Mtskheta at the time of Saint Nino with a church made of stone. his reign several new dioceses were founded. Vakhtang built a cathedral in Nikozi (Inner Kartli) and established a new diocese there, to which he translated the holy relics of the Protomartyr Razhden. Vakhtang built fortresses at Tukhari, Artanuji, and Akhiza; monasteries in Klarjeti at Artanuji, Mere, Shindobi, and Akhiza; established many other strongholds, churches, and monasteries as well. built a new royal residence in Ujarma laid the foundations of the new Georgian capital, Tbilisi. political creed consisted of three parts: an equal union of the Georgian Church with the Byzantine Church, national independence, and the unity of the Church and nation. the year 502 the sixty-year-old King Vakhtang was obliged to defend his country for the last time. In a battle with the Persians he was fatally wounded when a poisoned arrow pierced him under the arm. Before he died, King Vakhtang summoned the clergy, his family and his court and urged them to be strong in the Faith and to seek death for Christ’s sake in order to gain eternal glory. of Georgia mourned the passing of the king. His body was moved from the royal residence in Ujarma to Mtskheta, to Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, which he had himself built. There he was buried with great honor. fifteen centuries later, with the blessing of Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia II, an addition was built onto the Sioni Patriarchal Cathedral in Holy King Vakhtang Gorgasali’s name, and a cathedral in his honor was founded in the city of Rustavi.

Georgia, 447-502, King, Vakhtang I of Iberia, Gorgasali, 7ft10in, met Peter and Samuel in Byzantium
Georgia, 447-502, Georgian King, Vakhtang I of Iberia, Gorgasali, 7ft10in, met Peter and Samuel in Byzantium; is written in the biography of Holy King Vakhtang IV Gorgasali that the king was introduced to Peter, a pupil of Saint Gregory the Theologian, during one of his visits to Byzantium, and he became very close to him. At that time he was also introduced to the future catholicos Samuel. close spiritual bond of the holy king and the catholicos, combined with their concerted efforts on behalf of the Church, contributed immeasurably to the establishment of friendly political relations between Georgia and Byzantium and the proclamation of the autocephaly of the Georgian Apostolic Church. Martyr Razhden of Persia the Georgian, Commemorated on August 3; Hierarch Peter, First Catholicos of Georgia, Commemorated on November 30; St Vakhtang Gorgasali, King of Georgia, Commemorated on November 30; holy and right-believing king Vakhtang I ascended the throne of Kartli at the age of fifteen. At that time Kartli was continually being invaded by the Persians from the south and by the Ossetians from the north. The situation was no better in western Georgia: the Byzantines had captured all the lands from Egrisi to Tsikhegoji. his coronation, the young King Vakhtang summoned his court and addressed his dedicated servants with great wisdom. He said that the sorrowful circumstances in which the nation had found itself were a manifestation of God’s anger at the sins of the king and the people. He called upon everyone to struggle in unity and selflessness on behalf of the Faith and motherland. Vakhtang led a victorious campaign against the Ossetians, freed the captive princess (his older sister), and signed several treaties with the Caucasian mountain tribes to secure their cooperation in the struggle against foreign conquerors. Then he carried out another campaign in western Georgia, freed that region from the Byzantines, reinforced the authority of King Gubaz, and returned in triumph to Kartli. Vakhtang was remarkable in faith, wisdom, grace, virtue, and appearance (he towered above all others at a stately seven feet ten inches). He spent many nights in prayer and distributed alms to the poor, in this way dedicating his life to God. King Vakhtang could fight tirelessly in battle. Vested in armor and fully armed, he could carry a war-horse on his shoulders and climb from Mtskheta to the Armazi Fortress in the mountains outside the city. On foot he could outrun a deer. The holy king was judicious in politics, displayed great composure, and preserved a sense of calm even when critical decisions needed to be made. the brow of Vakhtang’s military helmet was depicted a wolf, and on the back, a lion. Catching a glimpse of the helmet with the wolf and lion, the Persians would cry out to one another: “Dar’ az gurgsar!” (“Beware of the wolf’s head!”) This was the source of King Vakhtang’s appellation “Gorgasali.” King Vakhtang’s reign the Georgian Church was first recognized as autocephalous. When the holy king banished the pagan fire-worshippers from Georgia, he also sent a certain Bishop Michael—who was inclined to the Monophysite heresy, which had been planted in Georgia by the Persians—to Constantinople to be tried by the patriarch. The bishop had disgracefully cursed the king and his army for rising up against the Monophysites. In fact, he was so infuriated that when King Vakhtang approached him to receive his blessing, he kicked him in the mouth and broke several of his teeth. patriarch of Constantinople subsequently defrocked Bishop Michael and sent him to a monastery to repent. importantly perhaps, the patriarch and the Byzantine emperor then sent to the patriarch of Antioch several clergymen whom King Vakhtang had chosen for consecration. In Antioch the patriarch consecrated twelve of these clergymen as bishops and enthroned a certain Petre as the first Catholicos of Georgia. fulfilled the will of Holy King Mirian by founding the Georgian Holy Cross Monastery in Jerusalem. In addition, he replaced a wooden church that had been built in Mtskheta at the time of Saint Nino with a church made of stone. During his reign several new dioceses were founded. King Vakhtang built a cathedral in Nikozi (Inner Kartli) and established a new diocese there, to which he translated the holy relics of the Protomartyr Razhden. Vakhtang built fortresses at Tukhari, Artanuji, and Akhiza; founded monasteries in Klarjeti at Artanuji, Mere, Shindobi, and Akhiza; and established many other strongholds, churches, and monasteries as well. He built a new royal residence in Ujarma and laid the foundations of the new Georgian capital, Tbilisi. His political creed consisted of three parts: an equal union of the Georgian Church with the Byzantine Church, national independence, and the unity of the Church and nation. the year 502 the sixty-year-old King Vakhtang was obliged to defend his country for the last time. In a battle with the Persians he was fatally wounded when a poisoned arrow pierced him under the arm. Before he died, King Vakhtang summoned the clergy, his family and his court and urged them to be strong in the Faith and to seek death for Christ’s sake in order to gain eternal glory. of Georgia mourned the passing of the king. His body was moved from the royal residence in Ujarma to Mtskheta, to Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, which he had himself built. There he was buried with great honor. fifteen centuries later, with the blessing of Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia II, an addition was built onto the Sioni Patriarchal Cathedral in Holy King Vakhtang Gorgasali’s name, and a cathedral in his honor was founded in the city of Rustavi. St Prochorus of Georgia, Commemorated on February 12;

Georgia, 447-457, Razhden the Protomartyr, Crusified in Tsromi, Persian nobleman converted christian
Georgia, 447-457, Razhden the Protomartyr, Crusified in Tsromi, Persian nobleman converted christian; Tsromi in central Georgia, Tsromi Church, 7th Century; Martyr Razhden of Persia the Georgian, Commemorated on August 3; Razhden the Protomartyr was descended from a noble Persian family. When Holy King Vakhtang Gorgasali married the daughter of the Persian king Hormuzd III Balunducht, the queen took Razhden with her to Georgia. Kartli Razhden converted to the Christian Faith, and King Vakhtang presented him with an estate and appointed him as a military adviser and commander. that time Georgia was under heavy political pressure from Persia. Enraged at King Vakhtang’s clearly Christian convictions, the Persian king Peroz (Son of Yazgard III.)(457-484) attacked Georgia with an enormous army. His accomplishments in this battle earned Razhden his distinction as a brave and virtuous warrior. long the furious King Peroz ordered that “a certain Persian aristocrat who had converted to Christianity and survived the battle” be taken captive. The Persians surrounded Razhden, bound his hands and feet, and delivered him to their king. Peroz received him with feigned tenderness, saying, “Greetings, my virtuous Razhden! Peace be to you! Where have you been all this time, and for what reason have you turned from the faith of your fathers to confess a creed in which your fathers did not instruct you?” fearlessly asserted that Christianity is the only true faith and that Christ is the only true Savior of mankind. King Peroz tried to conceal his anger and cunningly lure Razhden to his side, but his attempt was in vain. Convinced that his efforts were futile, Peroz finally ordered that the saint be beaten without mercy. The expert executioners trampled Saint Razhden, battered him, knocked out his teeth, dragged him across jagged cliffs, then chained him in heavy irons and cast him into prison. the news of Razhden’s suffering and captivity spread to Mtskheta, the Georgian nobility came to Peroz and requested that he free the holy man. Peroz consented to their request, but made Razhden vow to return. arrived in Mtskheta, bid farewell to his family and the beloved king Vakhtang Gorgasali and, despite his loved ones’ admonitions to the contrary, returned to Peroz. The Persian king tried again to return Razhden to the religion of the fire-worshippers. But seeing that he would not be broken, Peroz instead ordered his exile to a military camp at Tsromi in central Georgia. Then he secretly ordered the chief of the Persian camp to turn him away from Christianity and to execute him if he refused. “Your flattery and bribes are insulting to me. With joy I am prepared to endure every suffering for the sake of Christ!” replied to his appeals, “If he hopes in the Crucified One, then he also is fit to suffer crucifixion!” Such was the Persians’ verdict. They erected a cross, crucified Christ’s humble servant, and prepared to shoot at the pious man with bow and arrow. “Into Thy hands, O Lord, I commit my spirit!” were the last words of Saint Razhden. night a group of Christians stole the Persians’ cross, took the holy martyr’s body down from it, and buried his holy relics in secret. A few years later Vakhtang Gorgasali translated Saint Razhden’s relics from Tsromi to Nikozi (in central Georgia) and interred them in a cathedral that he had built there not long before. Holy King Vakhtang later erected churches in honor of Georgia’s first martyr in Ujarma and Samgori in eastern Georgia.

Georgia, 449-502, Georgian King, Vakhtang I of Iberia, Gorgasali, 7ft10in, met Peter in Byzantium
Georgia, 449-502, Georgian King, Vakhtang I of Iberia; Martyr Razhden of Persia the Georgian, Commemorated on August 3; Hierarch Peter, First Catholicos of Georgia, Commemorated on November 30; St Vakhtang Gorgasali, King of Georgia, Commemorated on November 30; St Prochorus of Georgia, Commemorated on February 12;

Georgia, 456-468, King, Gubazes I of Lazica, King Vakhtang freed him from Byzantines
Georgia, 456-468, King, Gubazes I of Lazica; Around 456 Gubazes tried to negotiate an alliance with the Sassanid Persians in order to break free from Roman hegemony. In response, in 456, the emperor Marcian dispatched a military expedition against the Lazi, calling upon Gubazes to abdicate or to depose his son, who was his co-ruler, "as it was against tradition to have two joint rulers". Eventually Gubazes abdicated in favor of his son and, in 466, paid a visit to Constantinople, where he had to endure the reprimands of the emperor Leo I, but he was eventually treated with favour and sent back to his homeland, where he seems to have been able to resume his reign. Gubazes' visit to Constantinople is also mentioned in the Life of St. Daniel the Stylite, which reports that Gubazes accompanied Leo to see the renowned monk Daniel, who greatly impressed the Lazic king and even mediated a treaty between the two monarchs. This period coincided with a campaign launched against Lazica by its eastern neighbour, King Vakhtang I of Iberia, which is narrated in the Georgian Chronicles. Vakhtang was then a Sassanid vassal and his activities in Lazica may have been indirect assistance from the Sassanid shah, as previously offered to Gubazes during his break with Rome. Around 468 Gubazes, aided by the Romans, attacked the pro-Persian mountainous region of Suania, which had seceded from Lazic overlordship, but, aside from a couple of fortresses, he failed to retake the territory. His failure may have been due to the interference of the Iberians, since the Georgian Chronicles allude to another, in this case victorious, campaign, undertaken by Vakhtang of Iberia in Lazica around this time. Lazica region, Western Inland Georgia, Rioni River 6, Senaki River; St Tsotne Dadiani the Confessor, Commemorated on July 30 ; Saint Vakhtang Gorgasali, King of Georgia, Commemorated on November 30;

Georgia, 460-505, Peter, 1st Georgia Catholicos, f Byz, close to Vakhtang I, autocephaly, harmony b church & state
Georgia, 460-505, Peter, first Catholicos of Georgia in Kartli (town, Tbilisi), Gregory's pupil in Byz, close to Vakhtang I, so Geo close w Byz, autocephaly, harmony between church and state, respect for king; Kartli; Hierarch Peter, first Catholicos of Georgia, Commemorated on November 30; Peter was the first catholicos of Georgia. He led the Church of Kartli from the 460s through the beginning of the 6th century. to God’s will, Saint Peter inaugurated the dynasty of the chief shepherds of Georgia. is written in the biography of Holy King Vakhtang IV Gorgasali that the king was introduced to Peter, a pupil of Saint Gregory the Theologian, during one of his visits to Byzantium, and he became very close to him. At that time he was also introduced to the future catholicos Samuel. close spiritual bond of the holy king and the catholicos, combined with their concerted efforts on behalf of the Church, contributed immeasurably to the establishment of friendly political relations between Georgia and Byzantium and the proclamation of the autocephaly of the Georgian Apostolic Church. returned to his own capital, King Vakhtang sent an envoy to Byzantium to find him a wife. He also sent a request that the hierarch Peter be elevated as catholicos and that the priest Samuel be consecrated bishop. He pleaded with the patriarch to hasten the arrival of Catholicos Peter and the twelve bishops with him. patriarch of Constantinople approved King Vakhtang’s request to institute the rank of catholicos of Georgia. Since the Georgian Church was still under the jurisdiction of Antioch, Peter and Samuel were sent to the Antiochian patriarch himself to be elevated. The autocephaly of the Georgian Church was proclaimed upon the arrival of the holy fathers in Georgia. Peter ruled the Church according to the principle of autocephaly and established a form of self-rule that would later help to increase the authority of the Georgian Apostolic Orthodox Church. mutual respect and cooperation of the catholicos and the holy king laid the foundations for future, harmonious relations between secular and Church authorities in Georgia. Their example defined the authority of the Church and a national love and respect for the king. accompanied Holy King Vakhtang Gorgasali to war with the Persians in 502. It is written that “the fatally wounded king Vakhtang summoned the catholicos, the queen, his sons and all the nobility.” Saint Peter heard the king’s last confession, granted the remission of his sins, presided at his funeral service, and blessed the prince Dachi (502-514) to succeed him as king of Kartli. Catholicos Peter led the Georgian Church with great wisdom to the end of his days. Holy Synod of the Georgian Apostolic Orthodox Church canonized the holy catholicos Peter and the holy catholicos Samuel on October 17, 2002.

Georgia, 480-547, Samuel, 2nd Georgia Catholicos, f Byz, close to Vakhtang I, Svetitskhoveli & Tsqarostavi churches
Georgia, 480-547, Samuel, 2nd Georgia Catholicos, f Byz, close to Vakhtang I, autocephaly, harmony b church & state, a Svetitskhoveli Cathedral iMtskheta, led GChurch reigns oDachi & Bakur, began Tsqarostavi Church iJavakheti ; Kartli; Hierarch Samuel, Second Catholicos of Georgia, Commemorated on November 30; Samuel ascended the throne of the Apostolic Orthodox Church of Georgia in the 6th century, after the holy catholicos Peter. Saint Peter, Samuel was a native of Byzantium. He arrived with Catholicos Peter in Georgia as a bishop, at the invitation of King Vakhtang Gorgasali and with the blessing of the patriarch of Constantinople. that time Svetitskhoveli in Mtskheta was the residence of the catholicos. the repose of Catholicos Peter, Samuel succeeded him, and King Dachi “bestowed upon him the city of Mtskheta, according to the will of King Vakhtang.” Saint Samuel led the Georgian Church during the reigns of King Dachi and his son Bakur. He initiated construction of Tsqarostavi Church in the Javakheti region. we know of Saint Samuel’s activity paints him as a pastor who demonstrated great foresight and cared deeply about his flock. He was also a close acquaintance of the holy martyr Queen Shushanik. Samuel faithfully served the Autocephalous Church of Georgia and labored to strengthen the Christian Faith of the Georgian people to the end of his days. Holy Synod of the Georgian Apostolic Orthodox Church canonized the holy catholicos Peter and the holy catholicos Samuel on October 17, 2002.

Georgia, 460-475, Queen, Shushanik (Susanna) husband converted to fire worship, killed her when she would not
Georgia, 460-475, Saint Shushanik (Susanna) Queen of Georgia; Georgia, 470-482, Varsken, Viceroy of Gugark, Tashiri, Georgia; Gugark, Tashiri, Georgia; Martyr Susanna the Queen of Georgia, Commemorated on August 28; Shushanik (Susanna) was the wife of the Georgian prince Varsken, the ruler of Hereti.1 Having been raised in a pious Christian family, she was deeply penetrated with love and the fear of God. that time Kartli was under heavy political pressure from Persia, and Prince Varsken visited the Persian king Peroz in hopes of encouraging more friendly relations between the two countries. He willingly denied the true Faith, converted to the worship of fire, and promised the king to convert his wife and children upon his return to Hereti. approached the border of Hereti, Varsken sent messengers to Tsurtavi, the city in which he ruled, to ensure that his subjects met him with due respect. The blessed Shushanik, having learned of her husband’s betrayal, fell to the ground and wept over him with bitter tears. Then she took her four children, deserted the palace, and sought refuge in a nearby church. evening Shushanik was visited by her spiritual father, the elder Jacob, who predicted, “Varsken’s cruelty and mercilessness are unmistakable. Know that terrible trials await you. Will you be firm and unbending in your position?” “I would rather die than unite with him and destroy my soul!” she answered. days later the prince arrived in Tsurtavi. As promised, he tried to persuade his wife to convert, but Saint Shushanik firmly answered, “As you have renounced your Creator, so I am renouncing you. I will no longer take part in your affairs, no matter what suffering I must endure!” next time, Varsken sent his younger brother Jojik and Bishop Apots to convince Shushanik to return to the palace. Shushanik refused for some time, but in the end she yielded to their persuasion. She set off for the palace with the Holy Gospel and the Lives of the holy martyrs, and when she arrived she locked herself in a squalid cell. Two days later Varsken returned to the palace and invited Shushanik, his brother Jojik, and his sister-in-law for supper. The queen, however, could not bring herself to share a meal with one who had betrayed Christ: she pushed away the cup that Jojik’s wife had offered her, thus further angering her husband. furious Varsken beat his wife mercilessly, fettered her in irons, locked her in prison, and forbade the guards to let anyone in to see her. Shushanik spent six years in captivity. While she was serving her sentence, she helped the poor that came to her. Through her prayers the sick were healed and children were born to the childless. Before her death, Holy Martyr Shushanik blessed those around her and requested that she be buried at the place from which her unbelieving husband had dragged her out of the palace. happened in the year 475. The clergy and people alike wept bitterly over Shushanik’s tragic fate. Her holy relics were buried in accordance with her will. 578, with the blessing of Catholicos Kirion I, Saint Shushanik’s holy relics were translated to Tbilisi, where they remain today, in the Metekhi Church of the Most Holy Theotokos. Susanna of Georgia is also commemorated on October 17. Hereti, a province of southeastern Georgia, was under Persian control at that time. Prince Varsken was essentially the viceroy for the Persians.

Georgia, 470-482, Varsken, Viceroy of Gugark, Tashiri, Georgia, Traitor, Killed Wife Susanna
Georgia, 470-482, Varsken, Viceroy of Gugark, Tashiri, Georgia; Gugark, Tashiri, Georgia; Georgia, 460-475, Saint Shushanik (Susanna) Queen of Georgia; Martyr Susanna the Queen of Georgia, Commemorated on August 28;

Georgia, 500, 6th Century Folder, 13 Assyrian Fathers, including John of Zedezeni, David Gareji, and St. Shio

Georgia, 502, War with Persia, Vakhtang I killed, 7ft10in
Georgia, 502, War with Iran, Vakhtang I killed; Catholicos Peter accompanied Holy King Vakhtang Gorgasali to war with the Persians in 502. It is written that œthe fatally wounded king Vakhtang summoned the catholicos, the queen, his sons and all the nobility.Â Saint Peter heard the king'™s last confession, granted the remission of his sins, presided at his funeral service, and blessed the prince Dachi (502-514) to succeed him as king of Kartli. Georgia, 449-502, Georgian King, Vakhtang I of Iberia; Hierarch Peter, First Catholicos of Georgia, Commemorated on November 30; St Vakhtang Gorgasali, King of Georgia, Commemorated on November 30;

Georgia, 502-534, Dachi of Iberia, Vakhtang's son, more concillatory, christianized mountainous s, enlarged Tiblisi, citadel
Georgia, 502-534, Georgian King, Dachi of Iberia, Vakhtang's son, more concillatory w Persians, further christianized mountainous subjects, enlarged Tiblisi, completed citadel there; Georgian King, 502-534, Dachi of Iberia ; of the Chosroid Dynasty, was the king of Iberia (Kartli, eastern Georgia) reigning, according to a medieval Georgian literary tradition, for 12 years, from c. 522 to 534. was given a territorial epithet Ujarmeli for having spent years at his residence at Ujarma. name Dachi derives from Middle Persian Darchr, itself being a compound of the Iranian words dar ("court, palace") and chr [ag] ("seed, origin").[1] to the medieval Georgian chronicles, Dachi was the eldest son of King Vakhtang I Gorgasal by Balendukht, daughter of the Iranian Sassanid king Hormizd III. succeeded his father, who had launched an abortive rebellion against the Sassanid hegemony, took a more conciliatory line with his Iranian suzerains. his base at Ujarma in Kakheti, which had constituted the royal demesne from the days of the early Chosroids, he spent special missionary efforts to further Christianize his mountainous subjects. also enlarged the town of Tbilisi and completed the construction of its citadel which had been founded by his father. was succeeded by his son, Bacurius II.[2][3] 9 Martyred brothers of Kola, Commemorated on February 22 ; Venerable Shio Mgvime, Commemorated on March 3;

Georgia, 534-547, Bacurius II of Iberia, King, died leaving young children, I fell under Sassanid control
Georgian King, 534-547, Bacurius II of Iberia; II, of the Chosroid Dynasty, was a king of Iberia (natively known as Kartli; ancient Georgia) from 534 to 547. name Bacurius is the Latin form of the Greek Bakour, itself a variant of the Middle Iranian Pakur, derived from Old Iranian bag-puhr ('son of a god').[1][2] The name "Bakur" is the Georgian and Armenian attestation of Middle Iranian Pakur.[1] was the son and successor of King Dachi. According to the medieval Georgian chronicler Juansher, he died leaving young children and Iberia fell under Sassanid control.[3] He had two children, Pharasmanes V and one of the parents of Pharasmanes VI. 9 Martyred brothers of Kola, Commemorated on February 22 ; Venerable Shio Mgvime, Commemorated on March 3;

Georgia, 540's, 13 Assyrian Fathers (St Shio, John of Zedazeni, David Gareji, Joseph of Alaverdi)
Georgia, 13 Assyrian Fathers, 6th Century; Thirteen Assyrian Fathers were, according to Georgian church tradition, a group of monastic missionaries who arrived from Mesopotamia to Georgia to strengthen Christianity in the country in the 6th century. They are credited by the Georgian church historians with the foundation of several monasteries and hermitages and initiation of the ascetic movement in Georgia.[1][2] lives of the Assyrian Fathers are related in a cycle of medieval Georgian hagiographic texts and are unattested beyond these sources. Some of these vitae are formalities composed for an 18th-century synaxary, but four of them exist in original form, as well a metaphrastic version. The dating as well as authorship of these texts is controversial. The Georgian Catholicoi Arsen I (830-87) and Arsen II (955-80) have been suggested as authors of some of the vitae. Other, unattributed, texts may have been composed earlier, in the late 7th century.[3] monasteries in modern Georgia are named after the Assyrian Fathers and are said to have been founded and led by them and their numerous disciples. In the Middle Ages, these religious foundations played an important role in forging Georgian Christian identity.[3] written and oral, names as many as 19 Assyrian monks active in Georgia in the 6th century and the number "13" seems to be largely symbolic. Modern scholarly opinion is divided as to whether they were Assyrians, Assyrian-educated Georgians, whether missionaries or refugees — monophysite or diophysite — from Syria, from which monophysitism had retreated while Georgia was still primarily monophysite at that time.[3] in Iberia where the fathers served Chief of the Assyrian Fathers were: Davit Garejeli / David of Gareja Ioane Zedazneli / John of Zedazeni Abibos Nekreseli / Abibos of Nekresi Shio Mgvimeli / Shio of Mgvime Ioseb Alaverdeli / Joseph of Alaverdi Anton Martkopeli / Anton of Martkopi Tadeoz Stepantsmindeli / Thaddeus of Stepantsminda Piros Breteli / Pyrrhus of Breti Iese Tsilkneli / Jesse of Tsilkani Stepane Khirseli / Stephen of Khirsa Isidore Samtavneli / Isidor of Samtavisi Mikael Ulumboeli / Michael of Ulumbo Zenon Ikaltoeli / Zenon of Ikalto Venerable Joseph, Abbot of Alaverdi, Georgia, Commemorated September 15 ; Hieromartyr Abibus, Bishop of Nekressi in Georgia, Commemorated on November 29; St Jesse, Bishop of Tsilkan in Georgia, Commemorated on December 2; St Anthony the Founder of Monasticism in Georgia, Commemorated on January 19; St Macarius the Stylite of Martkobsk, Georgia, Commemorated on January 19; Venerable Shio Mgvime, Commemorated on February 9 ; Venerable Shio Mgvime, Commemorated on March 3; Venerable Dodo of the St David-Gareji Monastery, Georgia, Commemorated on May 17; St. David Gareji, Commemorated on June 9 ;

Georgia, 540's, 13 Assyrian Fathers (under St John of Zedazeni)
Georgia, 13 Assyrian Fathers, 6th Century; Thirteen Assyrian Fathers were, according to Georgian church tradition, a group of monastic missionaries who arrived from Mesopotamia to Georgia to strengthen Christianity in the country in the 6th century. They are credited by the Georgian church historians with the foundation of several monasteries and hermitages and initiation of the ascetic movement in Georgia.[1][2] lives of the Assyrian Fathers are related in a cycle of medieval Georgian hagiographic texts and are unattested beyond these sources. Some of these vitae are formalities composed for an 18th-century synaxary, but four of them exist in original form, as well a metaphrastic version. The dating as well as authorship of these texts is controversial. The Georgian Catholicoi Arsen I (830-87) and Arsen II (955-80) have been suggested as authors of some of the vitae. Other, unattributed, texts may have been composed earlier, in the late 7th century.[3] monasteries in modern Georgia are named after the Assyrian Fathers and are said to have been founded and led by them and their numerous disciples. In the Middle Ages, these religious foundations played an important role in forging Georgian Christian identity.[3] written and oral, names as many as 19 Assyrian monks active in Georgia in the 6th century and the number "13" seems to be largely symbolic. Modern scholarly opinion is divided as to whether they were Assyrians, Assyrian-educated Georgians, whether missionaries or refugees — monophysite or diophysite — from Syria, from which monophysitism had retreated while Georgia was still primarily monophysite at that time.[3] in Iberia where the fathers served Chief of the Assyrian Fathers were: Davit Garejeli / David of Gareja Ioane Zedazneli / John of Zedazeni Abibos Nekreseli / Abibos of Nekresi Shio Mgvimeli / Shio of Mgvime Ioseb Alaverdeli / Joseph of Alaverdi Anton Martkopeli / Anton of Martkopi Tadeoz Stepantsmindeli / Thaddeus of Stepantsminda Piros Breteli / Pyrrhus of Breti Iese Tsilkneli / Jesse of Tsilkani Stepane Khirseli / Stephen of Khirsa Isidore Samtavneli / Isidor of Samtavisi Mikael Ulumboeli / Michael of Ulumbo Zenon Ikaltoeli / Zenon of Ikalto Venerable Joseph, Abbot of Alaverdi, Georgia, Commemorated September 15 ; Hieromartyr Abibus, Bishop of Nekressi in Georgia, Commemorated on November 29; St Jesse, Bishop of Tsilkan in Georgia, Commemorated on December 2; St Anthony the Founder of Monasticism in Georgia, Commemorated on January 19; St Macarius the Stylite of Martkobsk, Georgia, Commemorated on January 19; Venerable Shio Mgvime, Commemorated on February 9 ; Venerable Shio Mgvime, Commemorated on March 3; Venerable Dodo of the St David-Gareji Monastery, Georgia, Commemorated on May 17; St. David Gareji, Commemorated on June 9 ;

Georgia, 540's, Anthony, Monasticism in Georgia, of the 13 Assyrian Fathers, Anton of Martqopi
Georgia, 540's, Anthony, Monasticism in Georgia, of the 13 Assyrian Fathers; Georgia, 13 Assyrian Fathers, 6th Century; St Anthony the Founder of Monasticism in Georgia, Commemorated on January 19; holy father Anton of Martqopi arrived in Georgia in the 6th century with the rest of the Thirteen Syrian Fathers and settled in Kakheti to preach the Gospel of Christ. He always carried with him an icon of the Savior “Not-Made-By-Hands.” Anton made his home in the wilderness, and deer visited him every evening to nourish him with their milk. day the deer arrived earlier than expected, and they were followed by a wounded fawn. Clearly something had frightened them. Anton retraced the animals’ path, he discovered a nobleman, the head of a nearby village, hunting in the fields. Astonished to see the old monk with his icon, standing amidst a gathering of deer, the nobleman, being a pagan, became convinced that he was dangerous and ordered his servants to take him to a smith and chop off his hands. was led at once to the smith, but when the craftsman heated his sword and drew it above the monk’s hands in preparation, he fell down suddenly and his arms became like wood. daunted smith fell mute, but blessed Anton made the sign of the Cross over him and he was immediately healed. heard about this miracle, the nobleman perceived that Abba Anton was truly holy, and he began to hold him in reverence. “Tell me what you need, and I will provide it for you,” he told Elder Anton. The monk requested a single piece of salt, and they brought him two large blocks. He broke off a small piece and placed it near his cell for the deer. the incident at the smith’s, many people began to visit Anton, and the holy father constructed a monastery for the faithful. before long their attention became burdensome, and Elder Anton fled from the world to the peak of a mountain. There he began to preach from the top of a pillar, where he would remain the last fifteen years of his life. God revealed to Fr. Anton the day of his repose, the monk-stylite gathered his pupils, imparted to them a few last words of wisdom, blessed them, and died on his knees in front of his beloved icon. Anton’s body was taken down from the pillar and buried in the monastery that he had founded, before the icon of the Theotokos.

Georgia, 540-590, Anthony, Monasticism iGeorgia Founder, oMartkopi, Georgia (Martkop (Rutai)i River 1), of 13 Assryian Fathers
Georgia, 540-590, Anthony, Monasticism iGeorgia Founder, oMartkopi, Georgia (Martkop (Rutai)i River 1), of 13 Assryian Fathers. tPreach Gospel iKakheti wilderness, tPreach tGospel, deer visited every evening to feed him, one day arrived early, frightened, injured fawn, retracing he discovered nobleman, who feared him, ordered hands cut off, smith readying the sword fell down, arms like wood, became mute, Anthony's sign otCross healed him, nobleman perceived holiness, tell me what you need, only single piece oSalt, brought 2 large blocks, broke small piece, placed near deer, built monastery fMany who visited, attention burdensome, fled tMountain pea, fLast 15yrs, God revealed time oDeath to the day,gathered pupils, imparted wisdom, blessed them&reposed on his knees in front oHis icon, body taken down fPillar, burried iHis Monastery before Theotokis icon; Martkopi, Georgia; St Anthony the Founder of Monasticism in Georgia, Commemorated on January 19 ; holy father Anton of Martqopi arrived in Georgia in the 6th century with the rest of the Thirteen Syrian Fathers settled in Kakheti to preach the Gospel of Christ. always carried with him an icon of the Savior “Not-Made-By-Hands.” made his home in the wilderness, deer visited him every evening to nourish him with their milk. day the deer arrived earlier than expected, they were followed by a wounded fawn. Clearly something had frightened them. Anton retraced the animals’ path, he discovered a nobleman, the head of a nearby village, hunting in the fields. to see the old monk with his icon, standing amidst a gathering of deer, the nobleman, being a pagan, became convinced that he was dangerous and ordered his servants to take him to a smith and chop off his hands. was led at once to the smith, but when the craftsman heated his sword and drew it above the monk’s hands in preparation, fell down suddenly his arms became like wood. daunted smith fell mute, blessed Anton made the sign of the Cross over him he was immediately healed. heard about this miracle, the nobleman perceived that Abba Anton was truly holy, and he began to hold him in reverence. me what you need, and I will provide it for you,” he told Elder Anton. monk requested a single piece of salt, they brought him two large blocks. broke off a small piece and placed it near his cell for the deer. the incident at the smith’s, many people began to visit Anton, the holy father constructed a monastery for the faithful. before long their attention became burdensome, Elder Anton fled from the world to the peak of a mountain. he began to preach from the top of a pillar, he would remain the last fifteen years of his life. God revealed to Fr. Anton the day of his repose, monk-stylite gathered his pupils, imparted to them a few last words of wisdom, blessed them, and died on his knees in front of his beloved icon. Anton’s body was taken down from the pillar buried in the monastery that he had founded, the icon of the Theotokos.

Georgia, 540's, Abibus, Nekressi Bishop, of 13 Fathers, Dagestani's also, watered fire god, Jesus sign, d escape, incorrupt r
Georgia, 540's, Abibus, Bishop of Nekressi , Georgia (Alazani River 2), of t 13 Armenian Fathers, converted Dagestani's also, Persian rule, fire altars everywhere, water on the fire, Stylite Simeon sign from Jesus, strengthened, declined escape, shattered skull, wild beasts, body guard, but Christian burial, incorrupt relics, relic miracles; Nekressi ; Hieromartyr Abibus, Bishop of Nekressi in Georgia, Commemorated on November 29 ; Abibus of Nekresi was one of the Thirteen Syrian Fathers who arrived in Georgia in the 6th century under the leadership of Saint John of Zedazeni. the blessing of his instructor, Saint Abibus began his apostolic activity in Nekresi, a village set among the hills in the eastern region of Kakheti. his virtuous deeds, Saint Abibus was soon consecrated bishop of his diocese. to the chronicle Life of Kartli, Saint Abibus converted not only Georgians but also most of the mountain tribes—including the Dagestani/Didoians—to the Christian Faith. with apostolic zeal, Saint Abibus journeyed throughout the villages of his diocese, preaching the Truth and calling upon all to strengthen the true Faith. time that Saint Abibus was serving as bishop coincided with a dark period of Persian rule in eastern Georgia. Persians exerted every effort to implant their faith—the worship of fire—and everywhere erected altars where the fire burned without ceasing. in the village of Rekhi the holy hierarch, finding a group of fire-worshipers forcing the Georgian faithful to worship the flame, poured water on their fire to extinguish it. enraged pagan priests bound Saint Abibus, beat him cruelly, locked him up, and reported the incident to the marzban. The marzban ordered that the bishop be brought to him at once. Abibus was a friend of the holy wonderworker Simeon the Stylite of the Wonderful Mountain. Simeon received a sign from God of the imminent martyrdom of Saint Abibus and, in order to console him, sent him a letter, an evlogia (a blessing—probably a piece of prosphoron or some other holy object) and a staff. Abibus was being escorted to the marzban, in the village of Ialdo he met a messenger from Antioch who presented him with Saint Simeon’s gifts. letter and gifts gladdened the holy hierarch and strengthened him for his martyrdom. Saint Abibus was approached by a group of Christians who offered to help him escape, but he graciously declined. arrived in Mtskheta, the saint prayed at Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, requested that the guards permit him to meet with Saint Shio of Mgvime. Persians granted his request, and the spiritual brothers greeted one another with love and prayed together to the Lord. Abibus was brought before the dread marzban and asked how he could dare raise his hand against the Persian god. replied with complete composure, saying, “I did not kill any god; rather I extinguished a fire. Fire is not a god, but a part of nature, which is created by God. Your fire was burning wood, and a little water was enough to extinguish it. The water turned out to be stronger. Your fury amazes me. Isn’t it humiliating to call something a god which has no soul?” at this response, the marzban ordered the holy hierarch’s execution. executioners mercilessly beat the blessed Abibus and shattered his skull with stones. Then they dragged his body through the city, cast it to the beasts, and assigned a guard to ensure that the Christians did not come to steal it. that night the priests and monks of Rekhi came, took the body of the holy martyr, and buried it with great honor at Samtavisi Monastery (located midway between Mtskheta and Gori). miraculous healings have taken place over the grave of Saint Abibus. the rule of Prince Stepanoz of Kartli, the incorrupt relics of Saint Abibus were translated from Samtavisi to Samtavro Monastery in Mtskheta, according to the decree of Catholicos Tabori. They were buried under the holy altar at Samtavro Church.

Georgia, 540's, Holy Fathers of Shio Mgvime monastery, Georgia, great story, dove, spring prayer, obedient bear, cup in air
Georgia, 540's, Holy Fathers of Shio Mgvime monastery, Georgia (the cave of Shio, Kura River 8), 13 Syrian Fathers, Blessed by MOG, arrived Georgia 540's, Zedazeni Mt, prayer&fasting, John ofZ's good works throughout Georgia, Founding many monasteries active today, revived G monastic life, Shio, nobleman fAntioch, to nearby Sarkineti Mts, deserted highlands, dove b food, ruler Evagre of Tsikhedidi found him w hunting, financed &joined him, became igumen, great ascetic Ila stayed w John carrying water all way up from river, Z Mt no water, John asked God for a spring and got it, cup left suspended in air at ShioM, Bear scares Ila, J commands bear and his kind to not harm anyone on Z Mt. C still in effect; Shio Mgvime (the cave of Shio); Holy Fathers of the Shio-Mgvime Monastery, Commemorated on January 4; Thirteen Syrian fathers arrived in Georgia in the 6th century, having received a blessing for their journey from the Most Holy Theotokos. settled on Zedazeni Mountain, living an ascetic life of prayer and fasting. spiritual leader, Ioane (John), then sent them to perform good works throughout various regions of Georgia. founding of many monasteries and the revival of monastic life in Georgia today are linked to the names of the Thirteen Syrian Fathers. Ioane sent one of his disciples, Shio, the son of a God-fearing Antiochian nobleman, to take up his abode in the nearby Sarkineti Mountains. the grace of God, a dove brought food to Saint Shio in the deserted highlands where he labored. certain ruler, Evagre of Tsikhedidi, would often go hunting in the area where Saint Shio lived. one of his excursions he happened upon venerable Shio and was so awed by his wondrous way of life that he decided to remain there with him. Evagre gave up all his possessions and was found worthy to be appointed abbot at the time of Saint Shio’s death. Ioane remained on Zedazeni Mountain with only one disciple, the holy deacon Ilia. Fr. Ilia was a great consolation to Saint Ioane in his infirmities. Saint Ilia was also a great ascetic in his own right, laboring in prayer, fasting, and mortification of the flesh. mountain on which they lived was completely lacking water. Ilia labored in the sweat of his brow carrying water from the Aragvi River, which flows around the foot of Zedazeni Mountain. the great ascetic labors of his disciple, Saint Ioane besought God with tears that He would supply them with a spring of water on top of this high mountain. God heard the prayer of His servant and a spring of delicious water began to flow. Ilia the Deacon often accompanied Saint Ioane on his travels. Ioane once took him to the monastery of Saint Shio, and Ilia the Deacon, as requested, presented Saint Ioane with a cup of wine in the refectory. The blessed Ioane made the sign of the Cross over the cup, raised it aloft, prayed to God, and left the cup suspended in the air. It remained where he had placed it, as if supported by an invisible hand. day Saint Ilia went to the spring to draw water. Glancing up he saw opposite him a bear of enormous size approaching the spring. was terrified and, leaving his bucket, turned and fled to the great schemamonk Ioane to tell him about the bear. Saint Ioane followed his disciple to the well and saw the bear drinking water. Saint Ioane meekly said, “Drink if you are thirsty and go away from here. But I tell you that henceforth, you and your kind shall never dare to cause any harm to anyone on this mountain.” the words of the saint and inclining its head like an obedient servant, the bear immediately left the spring. And to this day the animals continue to obey Saint Ioane’s command. holy deacon Ilia remained with Saint Ioane the rest of his life. Georgian Apostolic Church beseeches the protection of the venerable Evagre, Ilia the Deacon, and all the blessed and pious elders who dwelt with the Thirteen Syrian Fathers and continued laboring in holiness to the end of their lives.

Georgia, 540's, Jesse, Bishop oTsilkani, Georgia, Syrian Father, wonderworker, preacher, commanded river follow me, Time oDeath
Georgia, 540's, Jesse, Bishop oTsilkani, Georgia (Narekvavi River 1), o13 Syrian Fathers, wonderworker, preacher, commanded river follow me, Time oDeath; Tsilkani, Georgia (Town near T. Cathedral, Narekvavi River 1); St Jesse, Bishop of Tsilkan in Georgia; Jesse of Tsilkani arrived in Georgia in the 6th century with the other Syrian fathers and companions of Saint John of Zedazeni. the recommendation of Saint John of Zedazeni, Catholicos Evlavios of Kartli consecrated Saint Jesse as bishop of Tsilkani. holy father traveled throughout his diocese preaching the Holy Gospel. from city to city, from valley to mountain and back, the kind shepherd worked wonders, healed the infirm, cleansed lepers, cast out demons and raised those who were confined to their beds. with the blessing of his teacher Saint John of Zedazeni, Saint Jesse performed a miracle to strengthen the people in their Faith. descended to the bank of the Ksani River, followed by Saint John and a multitude of people. made the sign of the Cross over the river, touched his staff to the water and commanded: “In the name of our Lord and God Jesus Christ, I command you, river: follow me!” the river reversed its current and began to flow backwards, following in Saint Jesse’s footsteps right up to Tsilkani Church. living near Mtskheta and Tsilkani who witnessed this miracle glorified the Lord Jesus Christ for bestowing upon one of His children the gift of wonderworking. the Lord made known to the saint the day of his repose, he gathered his disciples and church servitors, bade them farewell, blessed them, partook of the Holy Mysteries of Christ, and reposed in peace. last words were “Lord, into Thy hands I commit my spirit!” Jesse of Tsilkani is buried in the Tsilkani Church of the Most Holy Theotokos.

Georgia, 541-550, Georgian Saint, Eustathius of Mtskheta, Persian Cobbler
Georgian Saint, 541-550, Eustathius of Mtskheta; or Eustace of Mtskheta (died c. 550) is an Orthodox Christian saint, executed for his apostasy from Zoroastrianism by the Sasanian military authorities in Caucasian Iberia (Kartli, eastern Georgia). His story is related in the anonymous 6th-century Georgian hagiographic novel The Passion of Eustathius of Mtskheta. of the earliest extant works of the Georgian literature, The Passion of Eustathius of Mtskheta was written by an anonymous author later in the 6th century, within thirty years of Eustathius' reported death. The morphology of the work as well as some theological phrases also supports this dating, although the earliest surviving manuscript dates from c. 1000 (Georgian National Center of Manuscripts, MSS H-341). The text is also interesting for the first Georgian formulation of the Ten Commandments, an account of the life of Jesus which recalls Tatian's Diatessaron (a Gospel harmony of the 2nd century), and traces of influence of the 2nd century Apology of Aristides. The Passion was first published by Mikhail Sabinin in 1882.[1] is reported by the hagiographer to have been an Iranian cobbler originally called Gvirobandak, son of a high-ranking Zoroastrian priest (magi), from Ganzak. Having converted to Christianity, he flees persecution to Georgia (Iberia), then under the Iranian military authority, in 541. He settles at the Christian town of Mtskheta and marries a Christian woman. The local Iranian cobblers’ guild denounces Eustathius to the marzban Arvand Gushnasp with seven other converts to be judged. Arvand punishes the apostates by having their noses pierced and casts them in prison under sentence of death. Six months later, Arvand releases them, however, as a farewell gesture to the local people, when recalled from Georgia by the king Khosrau I. Four years later, under the new marzban Vezhan Buzmihr, Eustathius is rearrested, but reaffirms his faith before the court in a speech of some 3,000 words that makes up nearly half the Passion. Eventually, the marzban, albeit reluctant, has him beheaded in Tbilisi. The remains of Eustathius were taken to Mtskheta and buried at its principal church.[1][2] Martyr Eustathius of Mtskheta in Georgia, Commemorated on July 29; Hieromartyr Abibus, Bishop of Nekressi in Georgia, Commemorated on November 29; St Jesse, Bishop of Tsilkan in Georgiam Commemorated on December 2;

Georgia, 547-561, King, Pharasmanes V of Iberia, aka Parsman, revered and funded Shio
Georgia, 547-561, King, Pharasmanes V of Iberia, aka Parsman King Parsman heard about his military adviser’s radical change of life, he was deeply disturbed and wandered into the wilderness to find him. But when he witnessed the divine grace shining on Saint Shio’s face, he took off his crown and knelt humbly before him. Fr. Shio reverently blessed the king, helped him to stand up, and replaced the crown on his head. Following the king’s example, all the royal court came to receive Shio’s blessing. A certain nobleman with an injured eye knelt before Saint Shio, touched his eye to the holy father’s foot, and received healing at once. another time King Parsman asked Saint Shio if there was anything he needed, and he answered, “O Sovereign King, God enlightens the hearts of kings. Do that which your heart tells you!â€ In response, the king donated much wealth for the construction of a church in the wilderness: the lands of four villages, a holy chalice and diskos, a gold cross, and an ornately decorated Gospel that had belonged to the holy king Vakhtang Gorgasali (†502). construction of the church was complete, the king traveled there in the company of the catholicos, several bishops and Saint John of Zedazeni. The hierarchs consecrated the newly built church, and a monastic community soon grew up on its grounds. Eventually, the number of monks laboring at King Parsman’s monastery grew to nearly two thousand. Many people visited this place to receive Saint Shio’s wonderworking blessings, and they were healed from many diseases. Georgian King, 547-561, Pharasmanes V of Iberia; V, of the Chosroid Dynasty, was the king of Iberia (Kartli, eastern Georgia) from 547 to 561. was the son and successor of Bakur II, and was succeeded by his nephew Parsman VI.[1] to the medieval Armenian adaptation of the Georgian Chronicles, in the reign of Parsman, the Ossetians (Georgian designation for Alans) attacked and ravaged Kartli, prompting Parsman to place himself under the Persian protection on terms of paying tribute. However, this version differs from that given by the Georgian original in the History of King Vakhtang Gorgasali, where nothing is said about the Alans and an unprovoked Persian aggression is recalled.[2] St. Evagrisi the disciple of St. Shio, Commemorated on February 4; 9 Martyred brothers of Kola, Commemorated on February 22 ; Venerable Shio Mgvime, Commemorated on March 3;

Georgia, 550 6th Century, 9 Martyred brothers of Kola, pagans no Church until baptism, 9 p children b, then stoned by parents
Georgia, 550 6th Century, 9 Martyred brothers of Kola, (Kura River Source) pagans not allowed in Church until baptism, 9 p children baptized, then stoned by their parents ; Kola; 9 Martyred brothers of Kola, Commemorated February 21 ; centuries ago, the village of Kola was located at the source of the Mtkvari River. There Christians and pagans dwelt together as neighbors. Christian and pagan children would play together, but when the Christian children heard church bells ringing, they recognized the call to prayer and dropped their games. pagan children—Guram, Adarnerse, Baqar, Vache, Bardzim, Dachi, Juansher, Ramaz, and Parsman—would follow the Christian children to church. the Christians always stopped them near the gates of the church and reprimanded them, saying, “You are children of pagans. You cannot enter God’s holy house.” They would return sorry and dejected. day the nine pagan children tried to enter the church forcibly, but they were cast out and scolded. “If you want to enter the church, you must believe in our Lord Jesus Christ and be baptized in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,” they were told. “You must receive Holy Communion and join the community of Christian believers.” great joy the youths promised the Christians that they would receive Holy Baptism. When the Christians of Kola related to their priest the good news of the pagan boys’ desire, he recalled the words of the Gospel: He that loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me: and he that loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he that takes not his cross, and follows after Me, is not worthy of Me. (Matt. 10:37-38). was not afraid of the anger that would follow from the pagan community, but rather took the boys on a cold winter night and baptized them in the icy river. A miracle occurred while the Holy Sacrament was being celebrated: the water became warm and angelic hosts appeared to the youths. Greatly encouraged in their faith, the children decided to remain in the Christian community rather than return to their parents. their parents learned that they had been baptized in the Christian Faith, they dragged their children away from the church, abusing and beating them into submission all the way home. The heroic children endured the abuses and, though they went hungry and thirsty for seven days, repeated again and again, “We are Christians and will not eat or drink anything that was prepared for idols!” gentle flattery, nor costly clothing, nor promises of good things to come could tempt the God-fearing youths. Rather they asserted, “We are Christians and want nothing from you but to leave us alone and allow us to join the Christian community!” enraged parents went and reported to the prince everything that had happened. But the prince was of no help—he simply told them, “They are your children, do with them as you wish.” obstinate pagans asked the prince permission to stone the children. So a large pit was dug where the youths had been baptized, and the children were thrown inside. “We are Christians, and we will die for Him into Whom we have been baptized!” proclaimed the holy martyrs, the Nine Children of Kola, before offering up their souls to God. godless parents took up stones, and then others joined in, until the entire pit had been filled. They beat the priest to death, robbed him, and divided the spoils among themselves. martyric contest of the Nine Righteous Children of Kola occurred in the 6th century, in the historical region of Tao in southern Georgia.

Georgia, 561-561, Georgian King, Pharasmanes VI of Iberia, Sassanid Dominated
Georgian King, 561-561, Pharasmanes VI of Iberia; VI, of the Chosroid Dynasty, became the king of Iberia (Kartli, eastern Georgia) in 561. The length of his reign is unknown. The royal power was largely nominal at that time as the Sassanid Empire dominated Iberia. was the fraternal nephew of Parsman V, his predecessor. Parsman VI himself was succeeded by his son, Bakur III.[1] 9 Martyred brothers of Kola, Commemorated on February 22 ;

Georgia, 561-580, Bacurius III of Iberia, King, 580 Sassanian Persia abolished kingship
Georgia, 561-580, Georgian King, Bacurius III of Iberia, 580 Sassanian Persia abolished kingship; Georgian King, 561-580, Bacurius III of Iberia; III (Georgian: ბაკურ III, Latinized as Bacurius) (died 580) was the last Chosroid king of Iberia (natively known as Kartli; ancient Georgia) upon whose death the Iberian monarchy was abolished by Sassanid Iran. name Bacurius is the Latin form of the Greek Bakour (Βάκουρ), itself a variant of the Middle Iranian Pakur, derived from Old Iranian bag-puhr ('son of a god').[1][2] The name "Bakur" is the Georgian (ბაკურ) and Armenian (Բակուր) attestation of Middle Iranian Pakur.[1] succeeded his father, King P'arsman VI, as the king of Iberia. The date of his accession to the throne is unknown but he ruled as contemporary of Hormizd IV of Iran.[3] Bakur's authority was rather limited and hardly extended beyond his fortress at Ujarma while the capital Tbilisi, and Inner Iberia was governed more directly by the Sassanids. When he died in 580, Hormizd IV took opportunity to abolish the kingship in Iberia.[4] He was father of Adarnase I of Iberia. 9 Martyred brothers of Kola, Commemorated on February 22 ; Venerable Shio Mgvime, Commemorated on March 3;

Georgia, 588-590, Guaram I of Iberia, King, Byzantine curopalates (in charge of Palace)
Georgian King, 588-590, Guaram I of Iberia; Hieromartyr Abibus, Bishop of Nekressi in Georgia, Commemorated on November 29; St Jesse, Bishop of Tsilkan in Georgia, Commemorated on December 2; 9 Martyred brothers of Kola, Commemorated on February 22 ; St John Zedazneli of Zaden, in Georgia with his 12 Disciples, Commemorated on May 7;

Georgia, 590-627, Stephen I of Iberia, King, pro byzantine to pro persian reverse, Miaphysite to chalcedonian, flayed by b
Georgia, 590-627, Stephen I of Iberia, King, pro byzantine to pro persian reverse, made Tiblisi capital, Cross on his Sassanid Iberian coin, Church of the Holy Cross at Mtskheta , anti chalcedonian (Miaphysite) then c, k by byzantines, flayed alive; Chalcedonian_Christianity, 451 Ecumenical Council in Chalcedon, union of two natures (divine and human) in one hypostasis of Jesus Christ, who is thus acknowledged as a single person. Plus, confirmed Nicene Creed, not Miaphysite or Oriental Orthodox; Christianity is the branch of Christianity that accepts and upholds theological and ecclesiological resolutions of the Council of Chalcedon, the Fourth Ecumenical Council, held in 451.[1] Christianity accepts the Christological Definition of Chalcedon, a Christian doctrine concerning the union of two natures (divine and human) in one hypostasis of Jesus Christ, who is thus acknowledged as a single person (prosopon).[2][3] Chalcedonian Christianity also accepts the Chalcedonian confirmation of the Niceno-Constantinopolitan Creed, thus acknowledging the commitment of Chalcedonism to Nicene Christianity.[4][5] regard to their specific attitudes towards theological resolutions of the Council of Chalcedon, Christian denominations (both historical and modern) can be divided into: Chalcedonian – those that accept theological resolutions of the Council of Chalcedon; Semi-Chalcedonian – those whose acceptance of Chalcedonian theological resolutions is partial or conditional;[6] Non-Chalcedonian – those that reject theological resolutions of the Council of Chalcedon. Today, Chalcedonian Christianity encompasses the Catholic Church, the Eastern Orthodox Church and Protestant denominations, while non-Chalcedonian, or Miaphysite, Christianity encompasses the Oriental Orthodox Churches. Georgian King, 590-627, Stephen I of Iberia ; I (died 627), of the Guaramid Dynasty, was a presiding prince of Iberia (Kartli, central and eastern Georgia) from c. 590 to 627. was killed during the battle with the invading Byzantine army. son and successor of Guaram I of Iberia, Stephen reversed his father’s pro-Byzantine politics to pro-Iranian and, through loyalty to his Sassanid suzerains, succeeded in reuniting Iberia under his sway. made Tbilisi his capital and defended it with a Georgian-Iranian force when the Byzantine emperor Heraclius, in alliance with the Khazars, attacked Iberia in 626 (see Byzantine–Sassanid War of 602–628). was taken captive in the fighting and Heraclius had him flayed alive. His office was given to Adarnase I, his relative of the old Chosroid house.[1][2] period of Stephen's rule coincided with another crucial moment in the history of Georgia. When Stephen switched from a pro-Byzantine position to cooperation with Iran, his religious sympathies shifted toward anti-Chalcedonism, leading to its official adoption by the catholicos of Iberia in 598 or 599. 608, however, the Georgian Orthodox Church returned to a Chalcedonic position, prompting the sister church of Armenia to break communion with the Georgian church and excommunicate its catholicos Kirion I. It was Heraclius’s campaign, however, that brought about the final victory of Chalcedonian faith in Iberia.[3] I was the first among the Georgian rulers who inscribed on the obverse of the "Ibero-Sassanid" drachmas minted by himself the initials of his name, symmetrically placed on the border in Georgian stylized letters. On the reverse of his coins, instead of the sacred flame (Atar), the principal emblem of Zoroastrianism, he placed the Cross – symbol of the victory of Christianity. This was a significant political act pointing not to Stephen’s mere Iranophilia, but rather to his efforts to reestablish the political autonomy of eastern Georgia and strengthen the Christian church.[4][5] exterior stone plaque of the church of the Holy Cross at Mtskheta, Georgia, mentions the principal builders of this church: Stephanos the patricius, Demetrius the hypatos, and Adarnase the hypatos who have traditionally been equated by the Georgian scholars with Stephen I, son of Guaram; Demetre, brother of Stephen I and Adarnase I. However, an opinion expressed by Professor Cyril Toumanoff disagrees with this view by identifying these individuals with Stephen II, Demetre (brother of Stephen I), and Adarnase II (son of Stephen II), respectively.[6] Hieromartyr Abibus, Bishop of Nekressi in Georgia, Commemorated on November 29; St Jesse, Bishop of Tsilkan in Georgia, Commemorated on December 2; St John Zedazneli of Zaden, in Georgia with his 12 Disciples, Commemorated on May 7;

Georgia, 600, 7th Century Folder, Muslim Dagestan and Azerbaizhan

Georgia, 650, Martyr Neophytus of Urbin, Persian, Omar, vision St Shio w angels, converted, stoned
Georgia, 650, Urbnisi, Martyr Neophytus of Urbin; Urbnisi; Martyr Neophytus of Urbin, Georgia, Commemorated October 28 ; holy hieromartyr Neophytus of Urbnisi descended from a line of Persian fire-worshippers. the 7th century, by order of the Saracen emir Mumni, the military leader Ahmad attacked Georgia with an enormous army. After overrunning the central part of Shida (Inner) Kartli, Ahmad dispatched two of his commanders, Omar and Burul, to the capital city of Mtskheta. At the confluence of the Mtkvari and Aragvi rivers, across from the village of Tsikhedidi in the rocky Sarkineti region, the invaders discovered a group of caves and plotted to occupy them. They tried to cross the Mtkvari but were unable. suffered a setback, the enemies asked their captives what was located in those caves. They were told that this was the Shio-Mgvime Monastery, where dwelt God’s chosen, who had deprived themselves of every earthly blessing. at this reply, the commanders decided to pass this information on to Ahmad. Then, as though it were commonplace, Ahmad sent Omar to the monastery to ask the monks to pray for him and remember him at the grave of their abbot, Saint Shio. “Pray for me, O slaves of God, and accept these gifts of aloe and incense. Offer these as a sacrifice to your abbot,” he told them. the monastery caves, Omar sent a messenger to inform the monks that he was coming to them in peace and bearing gifts. Drawing near to the monastery gates, the commander saw an army of incorporeal hosts descending from the heavens and among them an elder, radiant with a great light. meek and modest behavior of the monks left a great impression on Omar. He soon understood that the strange armies he had seen on the steps of the monastery were angels of God and that the elder was Saint Shio of Mgvime, abbot of the monastery. He related his vision to the monks and vowed to return to them, receive the sacrament of Holy Baptism, be tonsured a monk, and remain there to join in their holy labors. Omar abandoned all his possessions, his military rank, and his wealth and was baptized in the Christian Faith at the Shio-Mgvime Monastery as he had promised. of his slaves were baptized with him as well. Omar received the new name Neophytus (Newly Planted / From the Greek word neophytos, which in I Tim. 3:6 refers to a new convert), and his slaves became Christodoulus (Christ’s Slave) and Christopher (Christ-bearer). to God’s will, Saint Neophytus was consecrated bishop of Urbnisi, and all were amazed at his wisdom and steadfastness. He was a true father to his flock: “He strengthened the weak, healed the sick, raised the fallen, cleansed the possessed, directed the lost and sought out those who were perishing, protecting them, and forbidding them to wander off again.” the enemy could not tolerate the native Persian’s apostolic activity, and he convinced the fire-worshippers to kill the Christian shepherd. So the unbelievers devised an ambush and attacked Neophytus’ isolated cell, then tied him up and began to mock, curse, and revile him. They knew that Saint Neophytus longed to become like the holy protomartyr Stephen, and they plotted to stone him to death. his time to depart this world had arrived, Saint Neophytus turned to his persecutors with a tender voice, saying, “Sweet is death to me, O unbelievers! Sweet it is to me. I desire to sunder the link between my mortal and immortal nature.... With my own blood I will confirm the Holy Church, which is founded upon the Precious Blood of the Son and Word of God, Whom I preach. May that which was foreordained for me by the Providence of God be fulfilled, for He has called me to His light from the depths of ungodliness!” furious pagans stoned the saint to death. With his last breath Holy Hieromartyr Neophytus cried out, “Lord Jesus Christ receive my soul!”

Georgia, 664, Dagestan, northeast of Georgia
Dagestan; Martyr Gerontius of the St David Gareji Monastery, Georgia, Commemorated on August 12; Caucasian Avars; Hieromartyr Abibus, Bishop of Nekressi in Georgia, Commemorated November 29 ; St Pimen of Salosi the Enlightener of Dagestan and the North Caucasus People, Commemorated on March 16 ; Venerable John, Bishop of Manglisi, Commemorated on March 28; Hieromartyr Gabriel the Lesser, Commemorated on March 17 ; Fathers martyred by the Dagestanians, Commemorated on June 1;

Georgia, 667, Azerbaizhan, east of Georgia
Azerbaizhan, 667-, east of Georgia; St Demetrius the Devoted, King of Georgia, Commemorated on March 16; Mothers of the Kvabtakhevi Monastery in Georgia, Commemorated on April 10 ; Martyr Suchias and his Soldiers in Georgia, Commemorated on April 15 ; Right-believing Tamara, Queen of Georgia, Commemorated on May 1; Holy Queen Tamara, Commemorated on May 8 ;

Georgia, 684-693, Guaram II of Iberia (Kartli, eastern Georgia), Georgian King, struggle with Khazars, a w Justinian II
Georgian King, 684-693, Guaram II of Iberia; II, of the Guaramid dynasty, was a presiding prince of Iberia (Kartli, eastern Georgia) from 684/5 to c. 693. was a hereditary duke (eristavi) of Klarjeti and Javakheti, and acquired the office of presiding prince of Iberia when his predecessor, Adarnase II of the Chosroid dynasty died in the struggle with the Khazars in 684/5. the year 689, after a successful Byzantine campaign against the Caliphate, Guaram transferred his allegiance to the emperor Justinian II and was conferred with the title of curopalates. He must have been succeeded by his son or grandson Guaram III shortly before 693, the year when the Arabs succeeded in taking the Caucasus with the help of their Khazar allies and introduced direct rule through their viceroy (wali) at Dvin.[1] Martyr David of Georgia, Commemorated on May 18;

Georgia, 693-748, Guaram III of Iberia, Georgian King, including Kakheti and Kartli, Arab rule 693
Georgian King, 693-748, Guaram III of Iberia; III, of the Guaramid dynasty, was a presiding prince of Iberia (Kartli, eastern Georgia) from before 693 to c. 748. III was bestowed with the Byzantine title of curopalates, and thus, must have succeeded his father or grandfather Guaram II shortly before 693, i.e., before the resurgent Caliphate ousted the Byzantines from the Caucasus region.[1] The c. 800 chronicle of Pseudo-Juansher also refers to the princes Mihr, Archil, and the sons of the latter – Iovane and Juansher – in this period. However, neither of these individuals were presiding princes of Iberia, but the provincial rulers of Kakheti in the east.[2] III had a son also called Guaram (or Gurgen), and two anonymous daughters one of whom married the Chosroid prince Archil, and the other married the Bagratid prince Vasak. His son, Guaram/Gurgen was married to a Nersianid princess, daughter of Adarnase III, and fathered Stephen III.[3] St Sarmean, the Catholicos of Kartli, Georgia, Commemorated on August 21; Martyr Abo the Perfumer, of Tibilisi, Georgia, Commemorated on January 8; St Mamai the Catholicos of Georgia, Commemorated on May 3 ; Martyr David of Georgia, Commemorated on May 18;

Georgia, 693, Great Story of Martyrs David and Trichan of Tao, repentance and forgiveness
Martyr David of Georgia, Commemorated on May 18; holy martyrs David and Tarichan were born to Vardan and Tagine, pious Christians and relatives of the king. Vardan died while his sons were still young, and Tagine’s pagan brother Theodosius seized all the family’s possessions. that the brothers would eventually claim their legal inheritance, Theodosius resolved to convert his sister and nephews to his own creed. “Leave behind the Faith of the crucified Christ and receive mine and I will adopt your children,â€ he told Tagine. But Tagine firmly guarded the family against her brother’s evil intent. “It is enough that you have seized my sons’ estate,â€ she said. “But you cannot seize the inheritance they will receive from their Father in heaven!â€ was thwarted by his sister’s resoluteness. So instead, he tried to convert his nephews directly. He called them, embraced them warmly, and tempted them with sweets. “Now you are my sons, and everything I have belongs to you,â€ he told them. “Trust me like obedient sons of a beloved father. Turn from the Faith of your father, and I will show you a better way!â€ a brief silence, the holy youths answered, “We are perfectly content with our father’s Faith and will remain loyal to this Faith until the day our souls depart from our flesh. We are prepared to suffer everything for the love of our Lord and Heavenly Father!â€ dared not try to sway his nephews since he feared the revenge of the Christian community, so he left them in peace and plotted to murder them in secret. But Tagine sensed that danger was near and escaped with her sons to the region of Tao in the south. his spies Theodosius learned that the brothers were now herding sheep at the top of a mountain, and he ordered an ambush. But the brothers heard the noise and saw the armed soldiers before they attacked. David rejoiced upon seeing his uncle and ran toward him, but Theodosius stabbed him before he could embrace him. The holy martyr released his staff from his hand, and when it fell to the ground it was miraculously transformed into a large tree. Two hundred years later a group of Christians chopped the tree down and divided the holy wood among themselves. just witnessed his own brother’s murder, Tarichan raced toward the village of Divri for help. But his pursuers overtook him, stabbed him to death, and ran off. When they returned to Theodosius, they saw that God had punished him by taking away his sight. The soldiers were stunned, and they could neither utter a word nor move from the place of this miracle. After some time Theodosius’ eyes filled with bitter tears, and he was finally moved to repentance. first Tagine denounced her brother in a rage, and those who heard the cries of the inconsolable mother wept along with her. But while she was stroking the lifeless bodies of her sons, Theodosius turned to her, saying, “On you has shone the Inextinguishable Light from the Unapproachable and True Light, the Eternal Light. Pray to the holy martyrs that the Lord have mercy on me and make me, the unworthy, worthy of the seal of Christ, the All-merciful God, Who came into the world. Indeed, He is the One True God!â€ When Tagine heard these words, she recognized that God had received her sons as a holy sacrifice. Filled with new joy, she told her brother, “May God forgive you the murder of my sons!â€ she took a piece of the earth that had been stained by her son David’s blood and anointed her brother’s eyes. Immediately his sight was restored. happened in the year 693. As a witness to the sanctity of His martyrs, our God, Who loves mankind, illumined their bodies with a radiant light each evening when night fell. repented before the catholicos himself. He was baptized into the Christian Faith and erected a church in honor of his nephew Saint David. The mayor of Divri took Saint Tarichan’s holy relics and built a church over them in his name. Blessed Tagine began a new life in the village of Tadzarani and later reposed there.