Cloud of Witnesses
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Hierarch10th century

Saint George Matskevereli of Georgia

9th–early 10th century

Also known as George of Atsquri · George Matskvereli

A hierarch of Georgia of noble birth whose memory is preserved in the writings of the tenth-century Georgian hagiographers George Merchule and Basil of Zarzma.

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Commemorated as

Our Father among the Saints George Matskevereli, Bishop of Atsquri

Life

George Matskevereli, also known as George of Atsquri, was a Georgian hierarch who lived at the end of the ninth and the beginning of the tenth centuries. He governed the ancient diocese of Atsquri in the region of Samtskhe in southern Georgia and is remembered both as a churchman and as a regional leader during a turbulent period of Georgian history. The Orthodox Church commemorates him on April 2.

Born into the aristocratic and pious Shuartqeli family, he was raised and educated in the environs of the renowned Opiza Monastery in the province of Klarjeti, one of the principal monastic centers of medieval Georgia. Almost all that is known of his life is preserved through the writings of the tenth-century Georgian hagiographers George Merchule and Basil of Zarzma, who name him in their accounts of other saints of the period.

Troparion1 hymnReadHide
TroparionTone 4

In truth you were revealed to your flock as a rule of faith,
an image of humility and a teacher of abstinence;
your humility exalted you;
your poverty enriched you.
Hierarch Father George,
entreat Christ our God
that our souls may be saved.

Text used with permission of the Orthodox Church in America (oca.org).

Timeline4 momentsReadHide
  1. late 9th centuryBirth and educationBorn into the aristocratic Shuartqeli family and raised and educated in the environs of the Opiza Monastery in Klarjeti.
  2. late 9th / early 10th centuryRuler of SamtskheSucceeded George Chorchaneli as ruler of Samtskhe four years after the latter's death, amid a dispute over inheritance, and restored order to the region.
  3. early 10th centuryBishop of AtsquriAdministered the ancient Atsquri diocese for many years while also leading the region politically.
  4. first quarter of the 10th centuryReposeReposed peacefully; commemorated by the Church on April 2.

Contributions & Legacy

4 contributionsReadHide

Leadership in Samtskhe

Four years after the death of the feudal lord George Chorchaneli, Saint George succeeded him as ruler of the region of Samtskhe. Sources record that this succession gave rise to a bitter conflict over rightful claims of inheritance. According to the account, Saint George restored order during this period of unrest and reestablished ecclesiastical properties that had been disrupted by the internal conflicts.

While serving as the chief political leader of Samtskhe, he simultaneously directed the spiritual life of the region, administering the ancient Atsquri diocese for many years. The two roles—temporal governance and ecclesiastical oversight—were held together in his person during this era.

The Atsquri Diocese

The diocese of Atsquri, which Saint George governed, was among the most venerable in Georgia. By tradition its foundation was attributed to the Apostle Andrew, who was said to have deposited there the 'Not-Made-by-Hands' icon of the Theotokos. Saint George's long administration of this see is the principal mark of his ecclesiastical ministry.

Writer and Companion of the Saints

Although none of his own writings have survived, Saint George was esteemed as a notable writer of the Church. The hagiographer George Merchule named him among the distinguished ecclesiastical writers and credited him with contributing to the biographical material concerning Saint Gregory (Grigol) of Khandzta.

He was also a close companion of Saint Serapion of Zarzma. Basil of Zarzma identifies him as a spiritual leader and as a source for the life and burial of Saint Serapion; Saint George is said to have attended Serapion's burial and to have contributed to the preservation of his legacy.

Repose

Saint George reposed peacefully in the first quarter of the tenth century. His memory was carried forward by the very hagiographers whose works he is said to have informed, so that he is remembered chiefly through the testimony of those who knew him and wrote of the saints of his generation.

Companions2 figuresShowHide
Founder of Zarzma Monastery whose life and burial George of Atsquri witnessed and helped to record.
Saint Serapionof Zarzma
Georgian monastic leader to whose biographical record George of Atsquri is said to have contributed.
Venerable Gregoryof Khandzta
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Sources: OCA Synaxarion (oca.org), Lives of the Saints