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Martyr10th century

Martyr Gobron and 133 soldiers of Georgia

d. 914

Also known as Michael-Gobron

A Georgian prince and military leader captured after battle against Arab invaders, who with 133 soldiers refused to renounce Christ and was martyred in 914.

November 17New Calendar
Feast Day
November 30Old Calendar
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Commemorated as

The Holy and Glorious Martyr Gobron (Michael) and His 133 Soldiers of Georgia

Life

Gobron, also known as Mikel-Gobron or Michael-Gobron, was a Georgian military commander remembered for leading the defense of the fortress of Kveli (Kvelistsikhe) in southern Georgia against an Arab Muslim invasion in 914. According to his hagiography, his original name was Mikel (Michael). When the fortress fell after a prolonged siege, Gobron and a body of his soldiers were taken captive and put to death for refusing to renounce the Christian faith.

With 133 of his fellow soldiers, Gobron was numbered among the martyrs by the Georgian Apostolic Church, and the group is commemorated together as a single body of martyrs. Their account survives in an early Passion composed in Georgia within a few years of their deaths.

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Your holy martyr Gobron and his companions, O Lord,
through their sufferings have received incorruptible crowns from You, our God.
For having Your strength, they laid low their adversaries,
and shattered the powerless boldness of demons.
Through their intercessions, save our souls!

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

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  1. 914Defense of KveliGobron led the defense of the fortress of Kveli (Kvelistsikhe) in southern Georgia against the invading forces of the Sajid emir Yusuf ibn Abi'l-Saj, also referenced in some accounts as Abu al-Qasim. According to one account, the fortress resisted for twenty-eight days under his command before falling.
  2. 914Capture and ransomWhen the fortress was taken, the surviving defenders, including Gobron, were captured. The emir, impressed by Gobron's valor, ordered that he be treated with respect. King Adarnerse sent a large sum as ransom and some captives were released, but Gobron was not among them.
  3. 914MartyrdomOffered earthly honor in exchange for renouncing Christianity, Gobron refused. The 133 Georgian soldiers held with him were executed, and Gobron himself was beheaded. The day of their death, November 17, became their feast.

Contributions & Legacy

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Sources and Veneration

An account of the martyrdom, 'The Passion of the Holy Martyr Gobron,' was composed by Bishop Stephen of Tbeti (Stepane Mtbevari) at the request of the Georgian Bagratid prince Ashot I of Tao, written between 914 and 918, within a few years of the events.

Gobron and the 133 soldiers were numbered among the saints by the Georgian Apostolic Church, with their commemoration set on November 17, the day of their martyrdom (November 30 on the Gregorian calendar).

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Sources: OCA Synaxarion (oca.org), Lives of the Saints