წმ. იოვანე მთაწმინდელისა და იოვანე-თორნიკეს ჰაგიოგრაფიული ხატ-სახე (წმ. გიორგი მთაწმინდელის თხზულების მიხედვით)

Abstract

The foundation of the literary school and the theological center of Mount Athos is connected to the names of two military leaders: St. Iovane Athonite and Iovane-Tornike. The historical accounts about them are preserved in the old Georgian and Byzantine sources. In those sources their images are refined and their political and ecclesiastical activities are presented in detail. The images of St. Iovane and Iovane-Tornike and facts about their deeds are described in St. Giorgi Athonite’s work named as The Life of our Venerable Fathers Iovane and Eqvtime and the Account of their Worthy Citizenship Described by the Wretched Hieromonk, Giorgi. The aim of the author is full demonstration of life and activities of St. Iovane Athonite and Iovane-Tornike in order to present their perfect image. St. Iovane Athonite was committed to enhance the spiritual life of his country and he supported his son, St. Eqvtime in translation of various books, he found the meaning of his existence in service of national ideas, he took up a responsibility of enriching Georgian literature and thought about the promotion of Georgian cultural values. Iovane-Tornike played great role in history of Iviron, since he built the church named after Holy Virgin in 980-983 with the treasury given to him as a response to his active support of Byzantine Emperor in 979. His initiative was to prepare full version of the Bible, rewritten at Oshki Monastery, named as “Paradise”, “Treasure”, which was later transfered to Mount Athos. He committed himself enrichment of library of Iviron monastery. The hagiographical images of St. Iovane Athonite and Iovane-Tornike are displayed in cultural-educational context of their contemporary period, monastic and social life are also taken into consideration.