Materials for the study of Georgian monasteries in the Western environs of Antioch on the Orontes

68 Pages·1976·43.407 MB·English

by  Wachtang Djobadze

CORPUS

SCRIPTORUM CHRISTIANORUM ORIENTALIUM

EDITUM CONSILIO
UNIVERSITATIS CATfIOLICAE AMERICAE
ET UNIVERSITATIS CATHOLICAE LOV ANIENSIS
Vol. 372
SUBSIDIA

Tmms 48

Materials

for the study of Georgian monasteries

in the Western environs of

Antioch on the Orontes

BY
WACH'FANG Z. DJOBADZE
LOUVAIN

SECRETARIAT DU CORPUSSCO

\VAVERSEBAAN, 49

1976
INTRODUCTION
The material presented in this book consists 01' four parts. The
first part is comprised of lengthy testaments which are contain_ed in
the Georgian manuscripts copied in various monasteries in the western
neighbourhood of Antioch-on-the-Orontes. The second part offers
excerpts from the Bios of Giorgi At'oneli (George the Athonite) and
excerpts from an original work of Ep'rem Mcire (Ephrem the Small):
"Report on the Conversion of Georgians and Books in which this is
Mentioned". The third and fourth parts deal with the chronicles and
historical sources pertinent to Georgian monastic establishments in
the western outskirts of Antioch before the thirteenth century. The
manuscripts containing the testaments are closely related not only
in origin (most of them having been copied in the monasteries of the
Black Mountains) but also chronologically. They extend from the
very beginning of the eleventh to the beginning of the thirteenth
century.
One of the last manuscripts (Gospels H-1791) was copied in 1213­
1216. This fact complements the historical documents and archaeolog­
ical evidence which indicate the existence of unbearable circumstances
in this region already before the invasion of the Mameluks. The sack
of Antioch by Bibars in 1268 and its horrendous consequences appear
S
lr. ({ ~ to have dealt an irreparable blow toward the final eradication of the
z monastic life in this region when surviving groups of monks abandoned
3
1
their monasteries and sought refuge elsewhere, mainly in the well­
protected monastery in Athos, which now harbors books brought by
fleeing monks from Antioch.
Although some of the short excerpts of these testaments are known
through various catalogues, this is the first time that all known Georg­
ian testaments of the manuscripts copied in the Antiochean area
ISBN 2801700312
appear in their entirety. Excluded are small portions of dogmatic
© 1976 by Corpus Scriptorum Christianorum Orientalium.
theological treatises which do not have any direct bearing on my study.
All testaments collected here, nineteen in number, I studied in
Tous droits de reproduction, de traduction ou d'adaptation, Y compris les microfilms,

microfilm, photographs, or in the original in the monastery of Iviron
de ce volume ou d'un autre de cette collection, reserves pour taus pays, y compris I'URSS.
during the autumn months of 1962 and 1963. Two manuscripts,
K-76 and partly P-3 are exceptions, since I was not able to obtain
lmprimerie Orientaliste, s.p.r.!., Louvain (Belgique)
their original reproductions. Their testaments were copied in M1,ledruli
D/1976/0602/13
VI INTRODUCTION INTRODUCTION VII
script at the Institute of Manuscripts in Tbilisi and kindly sent to mc These complement the extensive archaeological material gathered
by Prof. H. Metrevcli. by the present writer in this region between 1962 and 1965: in the
To facilitate the study of the tcstaments, I edited the Georgian text monastery of St. Symeon the Younger on the Miraculous Mountain
in Mlfedruli script and furnished it with an English translation. The (541-551); in the monastery of St. Barlaam on Mt. Kasios (end of the
resolved abbreviations are shown in parenthesis, the reconstructcd fifth and first half of the sixth cent.); in a Georgian church dedicated
letter in brackets. All proper names and their 10caJ derivations are to the "Wood of Life" on the Black Mountain (second quarter of the
given in the original form even when they have a common English eleventh cent.); and in the monastery of the "Valley of the Reeds",
equivalent (e.g., Iovane, Ivane, but not John). At the beginning of north of the upper town of Seleucia Pieria (eleventh cent.). The finds
each testament the reader will find the signature of thc matlUscript, of the above mentioned sites, predominantly the architecture, architec­
its brief description and bibliography except on two occasions where tural sculpture, and epigraphy completely correspond to the chronolog­
such information was not available of the testament or was mentioned ical, paleographical and stylistic aspects and literary sources discussed
briefly elsewhere. The testaments are arranged topographically and in the present work, and attest to the existence of numerous Georgian
chronologically whenever possible and thirteen photographs of testa­ monasteries in this region and their vigorous activity. The final account
ments have been included to enable the reader to compare the original of these archaeological activities will be published in five installments
text with the accompanying translation; above all, they will facilitate in the Dumbarton Oaks Papers beginning in 1975.
the paleographic study of contemporary Georgian graffiti found in It is my pleasant duty to express my sincere gratitude to Father
the same region. The location of some of the monasteries and significant Athanasius, abbot of the monastery of Iviron (Mt. Athos), who placed
sites are shown on our map (fig. A). the valuable manuscripts of the monastery unrestrictedly at my
At the end of the text is a diagrammatic chart which contains disposal, and to the Director of the Institute of Manuscripts at Tbilisi,
condensed information found in the testaments. Professor H. Metreveli, who not only frequently enlightened me in
In the second part I offer two excerpts from eleventh century matters of paleography but also sent the requested copies of Georgian
original works: the Bios of Giorgi At'oneli (George the Athonite) manuscripts which are included in this work. My colleague, Professor
which I translated into English from the revised edition of 1. Abuladze, Spiros Vryonis, was kind enough to read my manuscript and make
and the "Report on the Conversion of Georgians and Books in which valuable suggestions.
this is Mentioned" written by Ep'rem Mcire. The significance of
Giorgi's Bios can be measured by the fact that it was written by one KEY TO THE MANUSCRIPTS
of the most prominent monks and men of letters, Giorgi Mcire, known
also as Giorgi 1:Iucesmonazoni, in a fortunate time whcn Georgian (Unless otherwise indicated, the manuscripts are at present in the
monasteries in the western outskirts of Antioch wcrc developing Institute of Manuscripts in T'bilisi).
vigorollsly. Furthermore, Giorgi's Bios contains abundant first-hand A Ex. coil. Ecclesiastical Museum.
information dealing with aspccts of Georgian monastic life in the H = Ex. colI. Historical and Ethnographical Society.
environs of Antioch and the hardships they encountered from time I Manuscripts in thc Monastery of I viron, ~1t. Athos.
to time, one of which is reflected in Giorgi the Hagorite's dispute J Manuscripts ill the Patriarchal Library, Jerusalem.
with the patriarch of Antioch concerning the autoeephaly of the K The collection of the HistoricallVIuseum, K'ut'aisi.
Georgian church. Ep'rem Mcire's Report which was written nearly the P The collection of the Institute of Oriental Studies, Leningrad,
same time deals with the legal matters of the autocephaly of the Section of Georgian Manuscripts.
Georgian church. Q = New collection of the Institute of Manuscripts.
The third and fourth parts deal with historical sources pertinent S = Ex. colI. Society for the Promotion of Learning among Georgians.
to Georgian monastic establishments in the same region. Si = Manuscripts in the Monastery of St. Catherine, lVlt. Sinai.
--
......

PARTl
TESTAMENTS
Ms. A-135 I
Psalms and commentaries to the Psalms of Basil of Caesarea. The
Ms. (fig. 1) consists of 257 fols. Its size is 200 X 145 mm. The size of
the written spa.ce is 155 X 87 mm. Copied by the scribes Saba, lIfichael,
and Gabriel (fol. 255rO). The Ms. was stitched by lovane. Its cover
was made by the commissioner David Djihisdze. The lVIs. was copied
in the Monastery of Satherdi, south of' Georgia, in 1035.
Bibliography: T. J ORDANIA, Chronicles, I (Tbilisi, 1893) 115 f. , ] 76 f. ;
·,·····_··..\1 Ibid., Opisanie Rukopisei Cerkovnogo Muzeia (Tiflis, 1901) 142-144;
1. ABuLADzE, Paleogmphic Album (Tbilisi, 1949) 308, pI. 62; II. ME­
TREVELI, in M.oarnbe XX-B (Tbilisi, 1959) 94 ff, particularly p. 104.
\
(fo1. 254vO) 5M00Q? JOcno~o J0Gcn­ (fol. 254vO) The first and most
8(Y)d'Cl0MOU0005 J0Gcn0 Q?0 8(Y)5030­ valuable gift donated by the
o'Cl~o .3oM30~0 80uo u08Q?0Q?MO Lord Lover of Man to ma nkind
~005cn0 8(Y)dC?3M000Q 0MU : 8'b1?} Q?0 is scripture; the sun and the
8cn(Y)3i>MO J(y)MGcn0 fl'ClO 5cn0 u0d 80­ moon were created (by God)
M0Q? Q?0300Q?50, brf)~(Y) ~oo550 for the benefit of our flesh but
u'Cl~cni> fl'Cl05cn0 o058050cn~OOO­ books were graciously given to
~i>Q? 8(Y)o 'Cl80Q?~50, M(Y)8~oU0cn3­ us for the enlightenment of our
UBi> ~80Q?0Q 5U0~8'Cl50 Q?030cnouo soul. Among these (books) the
... . . cni>3 0 0MU Q?0 .3oMo d(Y)30~cn0 Holy Psalms of' David are the
u".....,. . . ~oo5cni>Q, 00808J(Y)oO~0 d(Y)30~cn0 head and the tongue of all
.ILO ••T."", 8(y)M~8'Cl50cni>Q, M(Y)80~U0 00~(Y)O­ books and the adornment of' all
LEGEND Q?i> Q?030cn 0cn d0~om0 80cn believers. David was chanting
5Ui>~8'Cl50U0Qcn0 Q?0 ~(050U)~ - them on the ten-string and
.0 ....
- MWEO MIG. WAY' ('NNCIML fIA\D)
MYEO .CCO"O. .... 'I' IIrDA.O AJOR TO.......
(i>MaO)6d('Cl0)~Ooocn 8(y)0u~030oQ?0 prophetically foretelling the
fUT\IOMIUMI.MIAI.N 'No Ja"V, "IOfOIOA CDIAT O' ,,AAOT l1 .-• L \V"I~L'LG~."O~E< ~I''''''''' a(Y)U~30U0 0050 C?8McnoU0U0 coming of the Son of God on
:::::: ",OMAN ~IDO. ;--< f7:r.U~"L O"Y) J'CJOd 50 Q? Q?0 o05b(y)MGOO~000U0 earth and His incarnation
I""INCAT,,,,.AL .OUM",,,., t CEJoo\ETef''I'' ~80Q?OU0005 d0~~'Cl~OU0. 30cn0MG0 through the Holy Virgin. As
6 c ..U ,.c~ ott. .....,.•• Q I'D"""'" VESTAc)'" °6d3u : « 00MQ?08(Y)bQ?Ou 30cn0M(30 he (David) said: "He shall come
fO'""
~ r~"'l'",grt. • Y'f\tC,OI'tOMET"PoIC. ~308i>Q u0~80uU0 'b0Q?0 Q?0 30cn0MG0 down like rain upon the mown
~ ..0 .... D:I "UIH
Co IPRI"~
Fig. A. - Ma.p of Southwestern Outskirts of Antioch-on-the-Orontes.
-
2 TEs'rAMENTS MS, A-135 I 3
G'CJ0MO M0Q (3'CJM06 d'CJOtJ060U0 grass: as showers water the oMOOc:::'0U (?0 80M0080U0I3U, 000- for the living and dead of
'b0(?0)} (?0 008(?2/Yl80 080uo. (?0 earth". And he also said: The OOM(?OU0 (?0 b06dOlOU0 (fol. 255vO) 8atberdi and ifanzt'a (fol.
d'CJ0c:::'0(? OId'CJ 0 : \)80(?0 tJ(Y) U0tJ(Y)­ Lord on high sanctified his G(Y)GD0c:::'0I0 (?0 80(330c:::'00'CJc:::'0I0 255vO) and for all my relatives.
230c:::'0 0I3UO 80\:20c:::'806, \:280MOIO realm, God is within and He (?0 tJ(Y)30c:::'0I0 0I3U0I0 ~08010013U. Now I beseech all you future
80u O(y)MOU (?0 000 0M0 000dM0U shall not be moved. God was 0\) 0030(?MOOO tJ(Y)C30c:::')0I0 8(Y)80- brothers who will come to
(Y)'CJO('CJ60U08(?)0· \:280MOIO 0030 born of a virgin and the virgin 30c:::'010 60010 U03010, M(Y)80c:::'60 8(Y)­ experience this fleeting world
30c:::'\)'CJc:::'OU0006 (?0 d0c:::'\)'CJc:::'0 d0c:::'­ was not moved from virginity. b'CJ0c:::'0I 008(Y)U0G(?0c:::'0(? U0\)'CJ0I(Y)U0 and life, tmnsient as a shadow,
\)'CJe:::'000U0 006 0M0 000dM0. 080U (?0 0~M(?0c:::'OOM \)0M8030c:::'U0 at the time when you will be
(fol. 255rO) 080U0I3u(30 80 (?0300l (fol. 2551'0) ... "Therefore, I, Gb(Y)M000U0, M0\':J08u 8(Y)00GOu 23c:::'(Y)- born and will be able to C01l1­
x,oooud0806, 03M0I8d080806 G(Y)(?- Pjibisdze , heavily burdened by 00Q tJ(Y)23"(? b0c:::''CJc:::'U'' ,,80U 8'bOU0 prehend the visible things
30010 (?0 'CJ(?00806 u0606'CJc:::'00l0 sins and lazy ill penitence, d'CJooo (?0 ~C'CJ0)6 80'CJOM C?0 under the sun, and we are
(?03\)OMO DuO \)0 060 oMd060000l0 copied this book by the com­ 60G0M3860c:::' 30tJ3600l, 8(Y)03bu060- transformed into dust and
0'bM0 8080(? 80103MOU0, 008(Y)d80­ mand of my spiritual father 600l \)C80(?0)0I0 c:::'C(Y))(3C30)0I0 0I3C'CJ- ashes, remember us in your
(?OU0 (?0 8\)tJ oc:::'(Y) 00c:::' 0U0 ~080 - and benefactor Supe'rior Ezra, 0)6010, Mf'180c:::'60-0uO 080U \)006U0 holy prayers and those who
U0Q0I0, M((Y)8)c:::'OU0 (?080cl0(?M0 (?0 to whom I entreated and en­ 3U0600'CJc:::' 30MOI (?0 O0l0\)OM0c:::" are mentioned and inscribed
80M\)8'CJ60 U0VtJ0c:::'(Y)00c:::'0 uC'CJ)c:::'0 trusted my pitiable soul .... 8(Y)clc:::'0(? 8(Y)3~"0606 \':J0860 (?0'CJU­ in thjs book, and when the
~(0)80:>. M'CJc:::'OoOc:::'60 (?0 ~C'CJ0)6 0MI:20M0 endless times are shortened,
(?03\)OMO dOc:::'00l0 U('CJ)c:::'00M0I0 I wrote this through the hands 3Dc:::'o 'CJ0\)0230 o(Y)(?OU 01:28(Y)cl0Olb- and we will not be able t,o read
d80010 ~08010Q0I0 u00(0)QU00l0, 80- of my spiritual brothers, Saba., 30(?, 3C00l0MG)0 fiC'CJ0)6u0 30M30c:::'- it as our earlier departed fath­
d00c:::'OU00l0 (?0 000MOOc:::'0U00l0 (?0 Michael, and Ga.briel, and com­ 0I0 \)0MUM'CJc:::'0I0 8080010 (?0 d80010. ers and brothers, I know this
0030UM'CJc:::'0 30c:::'00l0 030c:::'OU0 ~O- pleted it through the hands of (?0 DuO 3CO)08(0)MO(')0(2 'CJ\)tJ0 (20 truly, and I am not able to
80U0 03060u00l0, (?0 0038(Y)uO my son, Iovane, and stitched 30M (?030M\)8'CJ60 U0606'CJ~0 006- con vince my stupefied heart
'CJ1:20MU00l0 30 c::::' 0010 ~0800l0, (?0 with my unworthy hands to c:::'°00 0'CJc:::'U0 o'CJc:::' U0 ~08U0, (?0 to repent, and thus the left
(?03(?03 008(?0(Y)80(? uOcl'CJ(?0c:::'OU0 be placed after my death in Udc:::'00 80M(3bO 600l8(0)6 U0U-\)(Y)M- scale prevails and day by day
~080U0 00000M(?U, u0tJ(Y)230c:::'U0 the MOIwstery of the Holy Vir­ 806 (?0 (?1:200l0-Q?1:20(? (?08d08(?0- it beeOlTleS heavier. Therefore,
\)C80(?)OU0 \:2(8M)0I0U 80(Y)00C:::'0U0, gin, in /3atberdi, for the instruc­ oou. 080U0I3U(30 cl('CJ0)c:::'C0)(?(30 I beseech you repeatedly to
u08(Y)d\:2'CJM00c:::'0(? 8(y)M\)8'CJ 600l0, tion of believers and the relief 0030(?MOOO, 800lb(Y)300l c:::'b06000Q ask for my forgiveness from
U0c:::'D06000c:::'0(? G(Y)(?30010 ~08010 of my sins, and for the relief 80Uo(0)6, M((Y)80c:::' - 8o)6 .3(M)3('CJ)0 Him who said to the paralytic:
(?0 u0c:::'b06000c:::'0(? U0\)tJ0c:::'(Y)00c:::'0- of my pitiable soul. And for Q06MI:2'CJ0'CJc:::'U0 80U : « 01:201:20 GbO­ "Tdce up your pallet and
U0 U'CJc:::'0U0 ~080U0 :>. (?0 U0(?0- the glorification of Father S1l­ C?0MO 8(0)60 (?0 3(0)(?(Y)(?0(Y)}. C?0 walk" and who told the harlot:
(?000c:::'0(? 0'bM0 8080(? 80103MOU0 pen;or E ZTa and Father Ep'rem. 80.380C?c:::'0 80d03u0 80U : « 8(Y)00- "I forgive your numerous
(20 8080U0 023M080u001(3)U Q")0 and the previously departed 0030 6 8M030c:::'50 G((Y))(?3(0)60 0(0)- sins", He who made the robber
80G30c:::'00'CJc:::'0I0 30M3(0)c::::'0I0 8(Y)- teachers, T' eodore and Symeon, 660(Y»). 806 0u8060 380Q u0600M­ hear the wistful voice - "to­
81:2'CJ0M0I0 OIO CV1(?(y)M0 U (?0 U380(Y)- and for my parents, Iovane (O)c:::'o 03o'b0clu0 : « 3(00l0M80)(? day you will be with me in
60U0I3U (?0 80(Y)00c:::'0I0 ~08010 and 8usani; for my spiritual C?~(O)u U08(y)OIbou ~0801060 0tJ(Y)(Y)}, paradise" - to whom belongs
03060u0I3U (?0 0'CJ0060U0I3U. U'CJ­ brothers and for all who con­ M((Y)8)c:::'0U0 0MU (?0(?000Q (?0 0M0 the glory: and there is no end
c:::'(0)OM0I0 d80010 (20 ~080106.~ fessed with me in this world, 0MU C?0U(0)UM('CJ)c:::'0 u('CJ)2303 0U0 to his reign with his Father
0I:2U0M00'CJc:::'0I0 tJ((Y)30)c:::'OI0013U 3(Y)­ for my natural sister and 80UOU(0)Q 8080U0 0I(0)60 U'CJc:::'OOl and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
MGOOc:::'0I0 C?0-d80010 I10C0I0; 00- hrother, jJiariam and Gabi"1:el, ~80C?00l'CJMOI 0\) (?0 c(0M0)(?OU (?0
'CJ(d'CJ 60)0I0 'CJ(cl'CJ60U08(?)0, o(80)5.
4 TESTAUENTS MS. A·135 II· MS. P-3 5
.)80u Vo050u.) O~M.)~O (p~')QU.) U.)­ The parchment of this book 8.)560 8M'CJ0.)50.) Q?')M'CJd05000~50 (fo1. 215vO) unremitting laborer
\:3.)UMQm.) 30ljoQ?0· ~M(33.)u.) 030- I bought with the money of C?~M'CJ U.)0.)8MQU.) Q?.)80~Q?000~ou~­ of the eternal creator; the
Q?0.), ~(80Mm8.))6 Q?.)O.)XOMMU. 306 Katai .... Whoever takes this 50. 80u 8Q?05~MOU.)0.)6 "oMOO 305~­ waters of this river some (men)
OUO vo060 .)8.)u Od~Ouo')u.) 0.)8M­ book out of this church, the 3u~ 00M'CJOQ?OOU Q?~ "oMOO 1j.)5~u~, will channel into the vineyard,
.)3'CPu, V(80Q?.))Q(3.) ~8Mmou80MoO­ Holy Virgin be his judge and Q?~ UbM'CJ.)Q u.)mooou.), b(M~M) some to the cornfield, and
~o .)MU 8MU.)X('CJ)~0 80u Q?.) .)Mu8(3.) he be the expiator of my sins d~~o m38(M'CJ)~m.) 8(.))mm(~)Q others to the meadow, yet the
(3(M)Q?3.)m.) ~08m.) 8'b~30~0 V(o- before God. (This book) ,vas oMm(.))Mu. power of his word is the same.
6,)0)0 ~(8Mm)ou.). Q?.)0VOM.) 3MM60- written in Kronikon SNE 1.
dM5u.) u60·
Ms. P-3
Ms. A-135 II
Bios and Orations of Gregory the Theologian. Translated by Euthi­
mius Athonite. Parchment executed in Nus(~uri in two columns.
The Testament of David Djibisdze (fig. 2).
The Ms. (fig. 3) not paginated. It was copied in 1040 by the scribes
(fo1. 215:rO) .)3'CJO u Q?.)UM'CJ~Q?.) Q?(.))3- (fo1. 215rO) Here is the end of Gabriel and Iovane Sap'areli (from I vanecminda), in the Georgian
omou.) \:3(u.)~8'CJ)5m.) m.)M08.)60 the Commentaries of David's monastery of the Mother of God at Kalipos in the vicinity of the
o.)uo~o dOU.)MOO~OU.) oMd.)60OC'CJ)­ Psalms (as they were written mandra of St. Symeon Stylite the Younger, west of Antioch.
~o Q?.) 0oMd06m.) 050u.)0(.))6 by Basil of Caesarea and trans­ Bibliography: M. F. BROSSET'S comments in B. PORN, Das Asia­
0\:3m380u 8m.)V80Q?0~ou.) 8(00)M lated from the Greek by Ek'v­ tische Museum de:r Kaiserlichen Akademie der Wissenschaften zu St.
m.)M0860~0. OUO .)30mo(.))5 V.)~- t'ime At'oneli. Beyond this Petersburg (1889) 662, No.1; A. OAGARELI, Svedenia 0 pamiatnikakh
8.)Mm Q?.)3omm.) 000(.))6 30MO (point) I found that the Com­ gruzinskoi pismennosti, vip. II (St. Petersburg, 1889) 43, No. 44.
m3mM 8M'CJ3~.)u.) "o(0Q?).) m.)M08.)- mentaries were written above ~ 0')~OMU~66M Q?~ V80Q?.)5M 8~­ Honorable and holy fathers,

60, b(M~M) u.)bO~o .)M.) OVOM.), the lines, however, the name
a.)5M, 0030Q?Mooom uoV80Q?Ou~ we beseech your sanctity, who
­
mM'CJ 30UO m.)M0860~0 .)MU, of the commentator was not
80(36ooMm.) 'CJVIj05. recorded. The informed will md'CJ05u.), 3ou.)(3.) 8MOVOMU V80Q?~0 ever uses this book, commem­

OUO vo050, 8M033u05050m 15'80- orate in your holy prayer we

know it.
~~m.) ~M(3'CJ.)m~ m3'CJ05m.) ~'CJ05 deans, pitiful in soul, Gabriel

80 Q?.)3om xoooud08.)6, ~3M[m] I, David Djibisdze, heavily bur­
lJ.)VIj,)~MoO~50 u'CJ~om~ O.)OMOO~ and I ovane, who once departed

8d0808.)6 (3MQ?3om.), M'CJQ?oo8(.))6 dened by sins, slothful at work
~~ OM3.)50 Q?Od.)5M"o0, MQ?ou80 in torment and converted into

u.)380m.) Q?.) M'CJ0'06'CJM8.)6 OM60- and stupied in mind, wrote at
e~.)b V')MUM'CJ~60 Q?~ 80v.)-386'CJ­ dust and not knowing their

oom.), .)80u Vo050u.) OM~MU') the end of this book: whoever ~o Q?.) ~M.) 'CJVljom m'CJ M~U.) future destiny.

~.)3VOMO· 3ou(.))(3 8MOC'CJ)bQ?Ou Q?.) gets and reads it carefully, a0(308'CJ~50.

0(M'CJ)~oU380u-IjM\:3om 0domI)30- and (finds that) one word is ... ~(oQ?oo~)Q : ~(80Mmu)~ : o~u­ .. . "Glory to God, this great

Q?om Q?.) uo~~m')Q uo~:::J'CJ.)u.) 15'05.) contradicting another, don't ('ii'CJ~~~ : V(80Q?.))Q OM(O)O(M)~ and brilliant sermon of repent­

.)~C'CJ)Q?oou 6M'CJ OOMMO(,I'CJ~Q?(O)­ doubt - David is a river of 5(Y}uO~0(3~, m'CJ : 'CJ5Q?Ou ~(80Mm­ ance of the holy Gregory of

oom, -(fo1. 215vO) Q?.)3omo 8Q?06.)MO vivified waters and the com­
U)~ : ~0Q?0 OUO : . Q?.) oMVIj053.)~0: Nyssa is - if God wills - also

.)MU Vljt:'0u.) (3I)M30~ou')Q Q?.) m.)Mo- mentator (of the Psalms), -­ d~Q?.)oo u05.)5'CJ~ou('))Q : . ~CM)(33~ completed. Pray for the holy

t1(~)3m : V(80)Q?ou~ 8C~)8(0)u~ : Father Ek'vt'ime who trans­

1 1' he Georgian Paschal cycle compriscs 532 years. Tho twelfth cycle (counting from
O~0)380um(3)u : MCM80~8~)5 OuO lated this book from Greek to

the creation of the world) begins in 780, the thirteenth cycle in 1:312, etc. Thus K'ronikon
(singl e years within the given cycle) SNE (= 2(5) equals 1035 (780 -+ 255 = 1035). Qoe50 : oOMd'CJ~ou~ : 0(.))5 :>. Georgian; God shall glorify
6 TESTAMENTS MS. P-3 7
3ilMO)'C)c:::'il(? : o)ilM085il : c:!(80Mo)­ their souls, holy and most 80LJ 9'(80)(?oLJil 0)(il)tJ('C)il)5LJLJilG080­ expected goodness. Through
8il)5 : (?(0(?0)0('C))c:::' tjil35 : LJ('C))c:::'0 brilliant preachers of all those e::'0 LJil LJil80 00 LJil LJ( il)M9'8'C) 5((10)000)il the blessing and benevolence
8(il)0)0 9'(80(?il5)01 : (?il tj(013)c:::'(il)(? : great and elevated secrets; (?il LJilLJ(10000)il (?il LJ'C)M30c:::'0O)il of this single venerable eternal
(?(0(?0)0('C))c:::'501 : (?O(?O)il 8(il)o) holy Gregory the Theologian 801LJilc:::'01(?0 00 c:::'0 0)" 8(il)0) d(O)­ God of ours who is the cause,
(?il 8ilc:!ilc:::'O)il : LJilO(?'C)8c:::'01O)il : and holy and glorious brother (J)Oc:::'O)il 80LJO)(,,)QO)il. 8019'tJ"c:::'0000)il and fulfiller of all goodness
OM9'tJ05Silt:,0(? 83il(?iloOO(0)c:::'501 : . Basil, all three preachers of (?" 8018"(?c:::'0000),,. 8b(01)c:::'(01)Q LJ" and the ungrudging and abun­
9'(80(?il)501 : OM(O)O(01)c:::' : c:!(8M)­ the Holy Trinity with mutual 80LJ 0)(,,)tj('C),,)5LJ LJ(il)G080c:::'0LJil dant dispenser of grace upon
0)0LJ800tJ('C)0)c:::'01 : (?il 9'(80(?il)01 love, intercede before God for (?"'C)LJilo,,801QLJ,,. c:!(8M)0)0LJil ~('C)O)­ all of his followers, through
OM(O)O(01)c:::' : 501LJOc:::'01 : 9'(80)(?00) : our souls, we, poor Gabriel and 50LJ(il)QO)" M(0180)c:::' "MLJ 80"60"60. him and through the inter­
(?il (?(0(?0)0('C))c:::'00) : d800)'C)MO) Iovane, who zealously under­ (?" LJM 'C) c:::'8 tJ 01'230 c:::'0 tj(01S)c:::'0 LJil cession of our most blessed
0)3('C)0)500) : OilLJ0c:::'0(J) LJil850130 ( !) took the copying of this holy d(O)O)0c:::'0LJ(,,)Q. (?il 'C)0'C)M30c:::'(il)(? queen the most holy Mother
LJil8000LJil : 9'80(?oLJil : 83il(?(il)00­ book preached by you. (?il 'C)b'C)oooO) 8,,(?c:::' 0) " 8085030­ of God and eternal Virgin
0(0)c:::'501 : O(0)8il5OMO)OLJil : LJo~m­ 00c:::'0. tJ(0130c:::')0)" 801LJilSO)il 80LJ­ Mary. Through the might of
ilM'C)c:::'0LJil : 8001i) 0(30)tJ3(0)5(0)0) : O)(il)Q (?" 80LJil 808ilMO) 8001i)(0)000)il the life-giving holy cross of
9'(05ilO)0 c:!(8MO))OLJil : LJ('C)) c:::'0 O)il 'C)8000LJ d('C))MO)i)(O'C))c:::'0LJ (?0(?01­ the Lord. Through the inter­
LJil9'tJ(il)c:::'(01)O(O)c:::'O)il : O(il)OM(OO)­ '23c:::'0LJ" ~('C)0)50LJ" tJ(01S)c:::'(")(? 9'(80)­ cession of the holy archangels
c:::'LJ : (?il 0013(.:.)5(0)LJ :> M(0180)c:::'(J)il (?oLJil c:!(8M)0)0LJ 80(01)00c:::'0LJil (?" and Angels and all the celestial
°
(?O(? O)il : 0('C))c:::'LJ801(?005(0)000)il 8(ilM,,)(?oLJ 3(ilc:::')9'('C))c:::'0LJ" 8(il)M(Oil)- powers. Through the grace of
dOc:::'-3tJ(il)300) ilc:!9'OMil(? : 9'(80(?ilLJ)il 80LJOO)il. dc:::'00MOOOO)" Gb01S(O)c:::'LJ the holy and glorious Pre­
il8ilLJ 9'005LJil 0)3('C)0)5 8(00)M : 8tJ(01)'23(0)c:::'0LJ" 3(il)0001LJ50LJ" LJil'C)­ cursor and the Baptist John.
3il(?(il)O(0)0('C))c:::'LJil : - Mil80(J)'C) OM­ Because the mysterious essence '23c:::'01QLJ" X,('C)")MoLJ(,,)QO),,. 8(0)01 bO­ Through the intercession of
O)ilMLJ ilMLJOO(':')Q LJil8(0)00LJ(il)Q LJild­ of the Trinity is one, we pro­ OO(J)il 9'(80(?")(J),, 80)"S(il)M il50(0)­ the holy and magnificent apos­
3M30~0. 0'C)M9'il8LJ (?il ilc:!3Oil(000). claim and believe in: the un­ ~(01)"6(J)il (?" ,,50(0)c:::'(01)"6O)il (?" tles, holy John the Evangelist,
8(il)8(il)Q 'C)00100c:::'0 c:!(80M)0)0 LJM­ generated Father perfect God; tJ(01S0)c:::'0)" "60GOLJil d"c:::'O)(")QO)il holy Symeon, the W onder­
'C)c:::'0. de; 0010 0c:::' ° 8(il)80LJilo(il)5 the Son generated by the 8"(?~0(J)" 9'(80(?0)LJ" (?il (?(o­ worker, through the mediation
c:!(80M)0)0 LJM'C)c:::'0. (?il LJ('C))c:::'0 Father, perfect God; and the C?O)0'C)c:::'0LJ" 9'05il801M00(20LJil (2" and prayer of the glorious
9'(80(?il)Q 8018G080c:::'0 8il(?c:::'0)(il)Q. Holy Ghost, giver of blessings. 5"cn c:::'0LJ8G080c:::'0LJ" 001S(il)50 LJOO)il. spiritual church fathers, holy
8(ilMil)(?oLJ c:!(80M)0)0 LJM'C)c:::'0. OMo)­ Eternal perfect God. The one­ 8001boooO)" 9'(80(?il)0)" (?il (2(0­ martyrs and venerable fathers.
c:!(8M)0)(00)Oil OMo) 0('C))5(0)Oil OMo)­ ness of God, one nature, one C?0)0('C))c:::'(J)" 8((1)G03'C)~(J)(il)QO)" Through the intercession of
500il. LJil80 LJilbOc:::'0 LJil8000LJ(il)Q : will; the three names of the 9'(80(?0)LJ" 0013,,50 8ili)"MOOOc:::'0LJ(il)­ the holy prophets, evangelists,
LJild3M3(0)~0. b(01c:::'01) Mil01(?05 MilQ mysterious Trinity. As to the ocn". 9'(80)(?oLJ" LJ380015 LJild3M30­ righteous martyr's and all the
ilMLJ ilMLJOOilQ LJ08(?0(?MoLJil 80LJo­ quantity and substance of ~cn 801380(?oLJ(il)QO)il 01bOO)il (2" saints who become eternally
LJ(il)Q. 305 0tJ01LJ d(il)G(J)ilO(il)50 God's richness, who among 30C?MooO(J)il (?O(?00'C)c:::'(J)il 8c:!(?(0)­ acceptable to God, made us
M(0180)~ 008dc:::'000c:::' 0tJ01LJ c:!(8M)­ men will be able to explain ~cn 8018c:!'C)"Mo)" 9'(80(?")O)il 8019'''­ worthy, we poor and very sin­
O)(OO)O.:.LJil S0O)ilM MilQ ilMLJ 3(0)0­ this truthfully? For he is the 80cn", LJ,,5"OMOc:::'0)" 8,,8,,0)(il)QO)il. ful, worst among all clergy­
8(ilMO)O(il)(? Oil8(10)3'C)8il(? M(01­ true God whose name eternally 8D01boooO)" 9'(80(?il)0)" 9'( 05ilLJ)9'(il­ men, by our image as if
80)c:::' 000 ilMLJ c:!(80M)0)0 3(0)08­ is blessed. Truth, belief and Ii'>80O)::J(30)c:::'(J)" , 8ilb(il)MOO(0)c:::'O)il monks; deans Gab1·iel and Iov­
(,,)M(O)(')O M(018)c:::'0LJil LJilbO~o devotion to this venerable Tri­ 8ilMcnil~0)" 8"M03c:::'(J)il C?" ::1(01­ ane Sap'aTelis from Ivanecmin­
d('C))MO)bO'C)c:::' ilMLJ 01'C)d('C)50LJil8(?)0 nity and the desire of its 3D~)cn" 9'(8 0)(?ilO)il 80LJ(J)ilQ(J)il, da, natural brothers who spent
8 TESTAMENTS MS. P·3 9
M(C"l80t:')50 U0rJdrJ5oO')005 u00')5C"l ­ their time in complete in­ tJ(C"l30t:')0')0 0')3 U0')0 ~('Cl0)50')0 GC"lG­ you, who will come during the
OtJ350u ~(80MO')U)0. ~OMU orJtJ350 dolence and never fulfilled the b0t:'0')0 Q)0 80G30t:'oo('Cl)t:'0')00')(3)u. resurrection of the dead, to­
~(80M0')80)5 ~(rJO)5 Ot:'0b(0)d50 Q)0 will of the creator, our God, 09 OM5C"l 5(0)0')t:'0U05C"l Q)0 830t:'5C"l gether can bear the celestial
~(M00)Q) GC"lQ)3(0)t:'50 Q)0 'Cl50M~0- Jesus Christ, who desires the 80MO')t:'OU0 U0M98'Cl5C"looOU05C"l, 00- likeness, and at the day of the
30 u50 rJ~M(C"l)QU tJ(C"l30t:')0')0 8C"lVO­ eternal life of every man. For ~0C"lu055C"l Q)0 ~(80MO'))808C"lu0t:'5C"l Last Judgment, can find relief.
U00')0, u0bOQ) MOG0 C"lQ)05 8C"l50- through his aid and bene­ 8(0)805C"l Q)0 d805C"l, MC"l80t:'50G0 I beseech you all, God-loving
'bC"l550. 000MOOt:' Q)0 0C"l3050 volence we uncovered a part ~(O)MU oj8500') 8U0b'C)MOO(0)Q) 9(80- brothers, to pray for us sinners
Q)Od05C"l'b0, 03050 V80Q)0t:' U0~0- of the veil of darkness from Q)0U)0 080U 9005u0, 0030Q)M(0)OOO') who have departed before you,
MOt:'50, d8050 ,jC"lMGOOt:'(0)Q), M(C"l- our spiritual eye and in this u098oQ)OU0 O')j('Cl0)5U0, ~('Cl0)5, so that through you we also
80) t:'0')0 tJ(C"l3)t:'(0)Q)30 rJQ)0000O') humble and meager life of ot:'0b(0)j50 Q)0 ~(M00)Q) G(C"l)Q)30t:'- can reach the wonderful eter­
V0M33,j0Q)0500') Q)~050 ~(rJO)550 Q)0 ours began with great zeal and 50 0(0)OIr.(00)~ Q)0 0C"l3050· O')j'ClO') nity and be forgiven by our
0M0 C"lQ)OU 3tJ0300') 5000Q Q)08o(0)­ assid uity to copy with our 9(80)Q)00')0 00M00')0 O')j('Cl0)500')0 benevolent and sweet Lord,
Q)(0)0t:'0U0 j(MOU~)OU ~(8M)0')0U0 sinful hands this Holy Book, 0,jC"lG0Q OM0t:'0')0 ~('Cl0)50')0Q, 1r.(C"l- and together can glorify the
~(rJO)50U0 M(C"l80)t:'U0 tJ(C"l30t:')0')0 illuminator of all Christians 80t:')50 0j0 8(05)0 90MOt:' 30MO'). Father and the Son and the
d(0)G0')0Q 350003U Gb(C"l)M(0)O(0)Q : which is called the Life of M(0QO'))0 ~(rJo)5 90MUM'Clt:'0')0 Q)0 Holy Spirit for now and for­
0(M080)Q) 8C"lbOQ)300')0 80U00')030 Gregory the Theologian, and O')j(rJO) 5 8C"l803ot:'0')0 0~Q)0C"l80U0 ever, from eternity to eternity,
8C"lVtJ0t:'0000')0Q0')0 8GOMOQ) M0Q80 some which were written there­ 80U OrJ080')0U0. OMO')C"lOOO') 8030- Amen.
0~3od0MGrJOO') U00rJM30t:'0 000 after. And the Life of his 8C"lUC"l0') b0~0 000 'b(0)GOU00050u(0)Q This holy book was written
050t:'0U(0)Q. O')rJ0t:'0')00(0)5 UrJt:'0U0 equal in greatness Holy Gre­ Q)0 300C"l3C"l0') t:'b050o(0)Q Q)~OU0 from the Beginning 2 in the
~('Cl0)50U0Q0')0. Q)0 d505u0 080U gory of Nussa, the illuminator. 80U U(0)UXOt:'0U(0)U0*. 0030Q)MOoOO') year Jim:'KD (= 6624) by our
890MC"100U0 GbC"lMOOOU0 l'l(rJO)50U0U0 This (book) was written first ~(C"l30t:')0')0 ~(8M)0')0U 8C"ltJ'Cl0M05C"l sinful hands, and stitched in
Q)O Q) 00')0 O(rJ)t:'0 U8C''lQ)0050000')0. of all for the glorification of d805C"l, M(0QO'))0 t:'C"lG30U0 3tJC"l\:3Q)00') the land of Syria at the border
Q)0 90Q)00MOOO0')0. 8C"l30000') Q)0 God and as a prayer for our ~(rJO)5 G(C"l)~30t:'0')00')(3)u, M(C"l- of Antioch in the vicinity of the
0~390MOO')· 0')30') G(C"l)Q)30t:'00')0 souls sold under numerous sins 80t:')50 0(OM30)t:' 90UM'Clt:'30MO'), "miraculous Simeon", the Lavra
,j0t:'00')0 ~(rJO)500')0 : 9(80Q)0)Q OUO and (as a prayer) for the souls M(0QO'))0 O')j('Cl0)5 8(00)M ~('Cl0)5G0 of the holy Mother of God, in
°
90050. 0(0)580500')t:'OOOt:'0 tJ(C"l- of our parents, our spiritual 8°3080')b3500') j(O)O')( )t:'0')0 800') the Georgian monastery in Ka­
30t:')0')0 j(MOU~)00500')0Q. MC"l80t:'U0 masters, and brethern and all u(0rJ)d(rJ)500')0 Q)0 8(0)t:'b050o(0)t:' lipos during the kingship of
09C"lQ)Ooou. 9(80Q)0)Q OM(O)- our relatives, alive and depart­ orJOj850u u0boOMO 000 Q)0 ~do0t:'0 the holy Michael over the
0(C"l)t:' ~('Cl)0')0u80~tJ(rJO)t:'0' 0')0- ed. Now men of light, and sons °00 80'C)\:3(') ~('Cl0)50, Q)0 OMO')C"lOOO') Greeks; and of Bagrat K uro­
300') Gb(C"l)M(0)O(0)Q. Q)0 8(08Q)­ of true religion, honorable and 3°Q)0Q)(0)0Q)00') 8(0)80U0 Q)0 dO U0 palat over the Abkhazians and
OC"l80)Q) O')j8rJt:'50 : Q)0 9(80Q)0)Q godly fathers who will become (?0 V(80Q)0U)0 U'Clt:'U0 0V Q)0 8(0M0)- Georgians; their kingship be
OM(O)O(C"l)t:' 5C"luOt:'0 U9C"lM0Q)30 worthy of using this holy
80U0 Q)0Q)0 ; Q)0 O(0) 580500')t:'0- book, we poor and very sinful
00t:'0 : 0(O(30)t:'(0)Q) U0Q)0Q)(0)- Gabriel and Iovane, whose * ou(~)u~ aub lin.
0t:'(0)Q) ~(8M)0')0U0 Q)0 U0t:'C"lG- names are inscribed in it, be­
30t:'0Q) ~(M00)Q)0')0 OM0t:'- seech your holiness, speak 2 From the "Beginning" (e.g. creation) of the world up to the birth of Christ, the
Georgians eount 5604 years (as opposed to the Byzantine 5508, Alexandrian 5500 or
0')00(0)5 005~MQ)0t:'0')0 U('Cl)t:'0')0 with your holy tongue the Panodorus' 5492). Thus 664 - 564 = 100. On Georgian chronology see V. GRUMEL,
~('C)0)50')00')3U Q)0 U(rJ)t:'0')0 88C"l­ cleansing of our sins, so that La chronologie (Paris, 1958), 15; E. TAQAISHYILI, "Georgian Chronology and the be­
OCO)t:'0')0, 8C"ld~'Cl0M0')0, d800')0 Q)0 we, who have departed, and ginnings of Bagratid Rule in Georgia", in Georgica I (London, 1935), 9-16.
10 TESTAMENTS MS. P-3 11
(?oG (?0 ,(,)J(,(,)50)mo ,(,)J(,(,)50G08(?W, glorified by God, Kronikon G0bOc::'om0 ~(C'13)c::'(0)(? \)(80)(?OG0 through inscription in the day
0(80)5. was sy 3. G08000U(0)um0 803\)OMom \)(80(?0)U agape 4.
(?00\)OM0 \)(80(?0)U OGO \)0050 (May) Christ glorify the souls OUO \)0 050 : 1)('(')0)5 oc::'0b0Jm0 (?0 Now whoever takes this book
(?0G00080mo(0)5 VOc::'m0 b3J(? 30­ of Sula, Zolavar and their (3C'1(?30c::'m0 0(0)OM(00)c::' (?0 0C'13050 out of this holy church, the
c::'0m0 11('(')0)50m0 (3(C'1)(?3(0)c::'om0 sons. Benevolent God glorify (?0(?OU0 0,(,)c::'u8C'1(?005000m0 \)80- W oocl of Life, be he insider or
C?0 8008C'1G0(30 3(,(,)0)~(0)50G0 0G'(')­ in both lives Step'ane and (?0U0 8C'150U60MU0 ~8Mmou 800M outsider, be it with good inten­
MomoG0G0, G0't>~30Mm0 0560C'130G0- Wace altogether. 0~80500,(,)c::'U0 X'(')0MU, MC'180c::'0 tion or hostility whoever dis­
m0, G050boom0 \)80(?OG0 G380C'15 Eternal Lord, have mercy upon 0~08050 30c::'om0 \)80(?OU0 (?0 turbs (this book) for whatever
G0J3M30c::'m8C'1380(?oG0m0, G0~C'1­ our brothers Sanano and Wasa U0506Moc::'0U0 8080U0 (?0 8C'1d~'(')­ reason, may he be cursed and
~0c::'G0 \)80(?OG0 ~(8M)moG 88(C'1)­ with his brother and our broth­ MOU0 1)'(')050U0 3M;:JbC'1MouOm0, 80b­ may he take his place among
0(0)c::'0G0G0, 8C'150G60MG0 30Mm­ ers' children Giorgi, T'eodore c::'C'100c::'0(? \)(8 0(?0 U)0 30c::'03 U0 the crucifiers of Christ and
30c::'m0 J0c::'03C'1Gu, 80~C'100G0 and Iovane. Christ the master Oe1M,(,) u0c::'08 U0 (?0 0UO 03 850 't>0C'1­
00Md05m0 't>(0(?)0 \)(80)(?OG0 80~0­ of all beings, glorify in both 00u30 (?0 \)0508d~'(')MC'100U0 80mu0,
G0 80b00c::'OGG0, (?0 0~b0't>m0 (?0 Iiyes Spandagut patrikios amen. (?0 8(0)m 0(?0(?05 ~80Mm805,
30Mm30c::'m0 't>(0(?)0 000M0 6 J,(,)M0­ Eternal benevolent God, have (?0036Joou 80000000U (?~O 0~030(?
30c::'060G0G0, 0(?0(?05 ~(80Mm80)5 mercy upon the souls of T'eo­ 0\) 305(30 \)80(?0U0 OJc::'OU00U0 (?0
80~C'100U 80mo. 3MC'150JC'15G0 Gu ... dore and Kalozhan, the sons of \)80(?0U0 dOc::'U0 ebC'1Mooou0G0
3(MOG6)0 0(?0(?0 G(,(,))c::'om0 Salama! 008C'10J'(')0U 0050 8050805, 0050 00­
G,(,)c::'0, 't>C'1c::'030MO (?0 830c::'50 In the name of the Holiest M0805, 05'(') 8C'1~'(')MC'100m 05'(') 860­
8(0)m50. Trinity we, poor and sinful MC'100m, 305 M0U(30 80't>0't>om0
~(80Mm)C'1, G0boOMC'1 0(?0(?05 Gabriel and Iovane, have zeal­ (?0030M3C'1G 80-8(30-fi'(')0500'(')c::' 0MU
C'1 Mm030 (3b(C'1)M(0)00m0 G60~(0)50 ously donated this holy book (?0 03uuu( !) X,'(')0MOU 8e'(')80c::'m08­
(?0 3(1)0 oMmC'100m. to the sacred monastery of the
4 Literally " agape" (ciya1T7)) means love, or t.he tmpeza of love for the commemoration
C'1'(')(~0c::')C'1 ~(80Mm)C'1, 800\)~0­ Holy Cross, erected by God, of the deceased (in addition to commemoration in eucharistic mass or memorial service)
c::'05 d8050 1)('(')0)550 G0505C'1 (?0 and built by the hand of our who earns this privilege by a donation to the church or the monastcry. Hence the term
3080U d80m'(')Mm (?0 d80G\)'(')c::'50 holy and beloved father and "agape" is extendcd to il. book in which the names of the donor are inscribed. In the
"agape" is recorded also the naturc oft.he donation and the rules of the donor's commem­
fi(,(,)0)550 o(OC'1Mo)o, m(OC'1(?C'1M)O (?0 teacher Pro~ore near the holy oration. Since the "agapes" were divided into evcry day of the year, thcy wcre rccorded
0C'13(0)50. city of Jerusalem during his in such a manuscript where the liturgical material was distributed for an entire year,
3(MOG6)0 : 8~c::'C'10(0)c::'C'1 : ~(C'1­ leadership and tenure - may thus assuming the role of 0, calendar. SYllaxaries were usually employed for "agapes",
30c::')m0 0MGm0C'1 : 0(?0(?0 C'1Mm030 hc be glorified by God - who being for obvious reasons, more convenient for the above-mentioned purpose. The
accumulation of the "agapo" on the marginal space of the synaxarion, the consequent
(3b(C'1)M(0)00m0 G305(?0~'(')6 made our gift delightful for us
scarcity of space, and the obliteration of the inscription or damago of the parchment
306MOJo : 0(80)5.
precipitated crcation of scparate books in which all "agapes" wcre concentrated (i.e.,
C'1'(')(~0c::')C'1 ~(80Mm)C'1 G(0)b(00)­ the "agapes" of the Monastery of Iviron in Athos). In our case, the seribcs (John and
MC'1* 800\)~(0)c::'05 G(,(,))c::'om0 G0c::'0­ Gabriel), who donated the manuscript copies by them to the Monastery of the Holy
800G d050 m(OC'1(?C'1M)O (?0 Cross at Jerusalem, were rewarded by the "day agape", i.e., by commemoration on a
certain day of the year. "Agape" is explicitly discussed by H. METREVELI, .iliaterials for
J0c::'C'1tJ05.
the Georgian Colonies in J erusalem (in Georgian; TbiIisi, 1962), 9 ff. For samplcs of
"agape" from the Monastery of the Holy Cross in Jerusalem, Ibid., 79; P. CRANARIS
.. u(~)b(oO)l'iM sub lin.
Bees in "agape" 'a kind of tax designed for the monastery· ("lIIonastic properties and
3 SN (= 260) equals 1040 (780 + 260 = 1040).
the State", DOP, 4 (1948), 100 n.41).
12 TESTAMENTS MS. A-484 13
(30 01050 0MU 50'90c:::'° 80uo Q?0 may he be punished by the
'9(8)0(Q?0)010 [)('C)c:::'0U U0C)tJ3010 intentions and a pure heart.
'980Q?0Q8(30 dOc:::'0 (3b01MooOU0Q 0MU holy Wood of Life... and he
'9050 'C)tJ01'23Q?Ou d(0)(30. ~(8MOI)OU0 And presenting this offering
°
Q?08ux,0c:::'0' . . .. Q?0 305(30 OUO who besmirches our name ...
U'C) M3 c:::'U 0 Q?0 U0tJ('C)0)M('C)c:::'(0)U0 consists :in showing God our
~'C)050 u03[0c:::'0j ... (000~0c:::'(Y1U .. . and will not fulfill ...
BOU0 808(0)MOI b(01c:::'01) '9050­ love for him in deeds. How­
Q?0 0M0 [)0MQ?003Q?0Q?Ou) ...... :
tl01~0Q OUO 0MU M(ilQOI)il uil3800l ever, this demonstration of
'C)~('C)0)501u [)08(Y1~05(0)O(il)Q U'C)M- love for him (fo1. 312rO) is
30c:::'0Uil Q?0 u0tl('C)0)M('C)c:::'0Uil perfect and elevated, that is
BOUOUilQ 80u O(01MO)U : b(01c:::'(Y1) man shall cleanse himself com­
Ms. A-484
lJil3800l (fo1. 312rO) ~('C)0)5(0)O(il)Q OUO plctely of sensuous things,
ilMU UM'C)c:::'0 Q?il 80~ilc:::'0 M(ilQOI)0 completely devote himself to
Gospels. Written on parchment in two columns in cursive (Nus~uri).
[)(il)50'9BoQ?(Y1U J(il)(38(il)5 0I(il)30 God and find in Him his
The Ms. contains 324 leaves. The dimensions of the Ms. are 240 X
0I(30)uO UM('C)c:::'OOOOl 503010Uil[)­ abode and home. And if some­
190 mm., that of the space inscribed, 160 X 50 mm. (each column).
(il)5 35oo(il)m(il)QUil. Q?il 0o'90M(Y1U one is looking for the means by
Thc year of the pascal cycle is omitted, but from the testament (fol.
BOUil tl(013c:::')00l('C)MOI Q?il uil3il50 which he can make his abode
312vo-314rO) is evident that the manuscript was copied in 1054 by
Q?il UilQ?[)'C)M BOUUil tJ(Y1U OI(il)30 and home in God he becomes
the scribe Giorgi (fo1. 241vO), 10vane Dvali (fo1. 324vO) and probably
0I(3)uO : b((Y1c:::'(Y1) OI'C) OdoooQ?Ou worthy of this honor. He shall
others (fig. 4). l'he gospel was copied in Kalipos near Antioch, in the
305 ~0150Uil OI'C) M(01BOc:::'Bil)5 take the most Holy Gospel and
Lavl'a of the Mother of God (fol. 314rO). '90B(~)c:::'B(il)5 tJ01U O[)O UilQ?[)'C)M Q?il copy it not on parchment with
Bibliography: Th. JORDANIA, Opisanie Rukopisei Cerkovnogo Muzeja,
lJ03il50 ~(8MOI)OUil. Q?il ~OMU tl01U ink, but on the surface of his
II (Tiflis, 1902) 46-01; 1. ABuLADzE, Paleographic Album (l'bilisi,
OU03(00lil)MUil 3(il)(')(0)3uil il~0~05 heart. And as soon as he does
1949) 311.
Bil5 tJ((Y13)c:::'(il)Q? '9(BOQ?il)Q u( 0) b( 0)­ this he will treasure his soul
(fo1. 311 V O) 3050QOI[)(0)5 ~(80MOI)0 (fol. 311 VO) Because God is kind M(O)O(il)Q Q?0 Q?00'90M05 O[)O 5'C) ... also this life-giving pear-I,
u(0)b(00)M 0MU Q?0 J(0)(301-8(01)tJ('C)0)­ and man-loving and does not BOc:::'50mil Q?0 3ilMC)0mil. il(Mil80)Q? which is our Lord, Jesus Christ.
M~ Q?0 0M0 'C)~OMU 0~050ou d0c:::'0- consider un worth y the zealous '230(3ilMmil 'b(OQ?)il [)('C)c:::'0Uil 01(3)­ And thereby he will be protect­
U000M J(0)(301(0)QU0 [)('C)c:::'u 801Q?­ undertaking of one man in UOUOIil : Q?il (Y1Q?Ou tJ01U OUO. 80MBO ed by the grace of our Lord
[)05000U0 0I00l010'C)c:::'0U0U0 : Q?0 accordance with his ability, he Q?il0'C)5X01u 8(il)5 U('C)c:::'Uil 0(05)il in accordance with the scrip­
000'90M03u 8(30MOQ?U0. Q?0 B0050- accepts even a small gift and 0I(3)uUil [ .. . . ......] O[)O Q?il (3b((Y1)­ ture. Although 1 am worthless
30 0u 'C)b'C)oooOl 'C)d(O)OI'C) 3013(Y1U if he finds any goodness in his 3(0)c:::'u 8tJ01'230c:::'0 8ilM[)ilc:::'0C)0' M(01­ and consist entirely of unclean
[)(0)5([)0)O(0)Q d(0)0I(0)c:::'0U0 BOdoO- soul-searching he reciprocates 80)c:::' ilMU (Y1(3'230c:::')0 ~('C)0)50 0(ou)3 flesh, 1 know that (fo1. 312vO)
00c:::'0 : 080UOI(3)u 0M0 X,OM 0MU abundantly. l'herefore there is d(MOUC)W : Q?il 80UOOl[)(il)5 03850u those who take this Holy
~('C)0)5Q?0. 'C)U0U01000Q 8(30MOQ?OU0 no need to despair for our O[)O tl((Y1)3c:::'00l 01(3'23c:::')OUil 8ilQ?c:::'0­ Gospel to heart and act in
OM(Y1BoU001(3)u : 0(M080)Q? 'C)~M01Q­ small labor: on the contrary OIil ~(8MO)ouil)Qm0. u0C)tJ3 UilOOM accordance with it will surely
U0Q? [)3~OMU 801U'9M0~OO(0)Q ~('C)O)- we should strive diligently in ~OMOc:::'OUil : b(01c:::'(Y1) 80 'C)~oMu8(il)5 attain this grace with the help
5000Q? ~(8MOI)OU0 d0c:::'0U000M accordance with our possibil­ 08(il)5. Q?il~il(3ilOl'C) tJ((Y13c:::')om('C)MOI of God. 1 am bound to my
~('C)0)50U0 : u'C)M30c:::'0U0 Q?0 lJ0tJ­ ities to show God our love for b('l')M(3 3ilM. Q?il ilMil 1J(80Q?)il [)(il)M5il evil-searching ways which are
°
('C)0)M('C)c:::'0U0 ~('C)0)50U0 80U0 him. For it is very pleasing to d(O)OI0c:::'(il)Q? 'C)lJtJ 3(00lilM8O)Q? constantly tormenting me as
808(0)MOI : M((Y180)c:::' OuO ~(M00)Q? God when one, responding to 'O03'C)0c:::'ilQ? 8008015'C)030il5 il8(il)U a weak man is tormented, thcy
U0tJ'C)0MOc:::' 0MU 80U0. 'C)d('C)O)OI'C) his love and affection, brings 8(il)Q?c:::'Uil °015'0350010 ~(8MOI)OU(il)­ draw me tow<1rds sin, but I
01Q?05 'C)805d(Y1Q0I0 [)015oOO0l0. Q?0 him an offer with innocent o'OIil : M(0180K"OIil (fo1. 312vO) 8010­ will not succumb, because I