წმ. მიქაელ პარეხელი ქართულ ჰაგიოგრაფიაში

Abstract

The notes about Michael Parecheli’s life can be found in Giorgi Merchule’s “St. Giorgi Khandzteli’s Life” and Basili Zarzmeli’s “St. Serapion Zarzmeli’s Life”. The hagiographic work “St. Michael Parecheli’s Life” was written about St. Michael, the founder of Parechi monastery by the clergymen living and working in Parechi later, and the relevant notes can be found in the hagiographic work of Basili Zarzmeli, the abbot of Zarzma monastery. No manuscript of “St. Michael Parecheli’s Life” has survived; it is considered lost. Michael mentioned in these two works is generally considered to be the same person (Ekv. Takaishvili, Iv. Javakhishvili, K. Kekelidze, L. Menabde, K. Gaprindashvili); however, according to the alternative opinion, two Michaels depicted in these two works are two different persons (M. Janashvili, P. Ingorokva, A. Bogveradze). Both opinions have their argumentation that is discussed in the article. Neither work depicts St. Michael Parecheli’s image completely, which can be explained by the intention the authors had while writing their works – they did not aim at honouring St. Michael’s contribution but rather wanted to portray their main characters better, via talking about St. Michael. In both works, however, St. Michael’s life is still described rather broadly so that the reader can reconstruct a full picture of the life, work, teaching and miracles of the Holy Father. The notes given in hagiographic works of Basili Zarzmeli and Giorgi Merchule complement each other and thus give a comprehensive picture of Michael Parecheli’s life and work. The article discusses this subject in details.