Saint David the Builder, the Righteous and Godly King
Troparion
O Lord, the wonders You have performed among Your saints are truly marvelous! You glorified the righteous King David, who, by the wisdom of Your Word, rose above all understanding, achieving miraculous victories over the Saracens for the glory of Your holy name. Even after securing his nation’s salvation, You exalted him with signs and miracles, and through his intercessions, grant us great mercy for our souls.
Kontakion
To you, O David, the unconquerable warrior and unwavering champion of true piety, we, the enlightened flock of Your Church, weave a crown of praise, for you have freed us from all tribulations. With joy, we cry unto you: Rejoice, O righteous father and protector of our nation!
In the 11th century, Georgia stood on the brink of both physical and spiritual catastrophe. The Seljuk Sultan Malik-Shah had conquered Samshvilde, taken its ruler Ioane Liparitisdze captive, and ravaged the land of Armenia. Despite King Giorgi II’s attempts at defense, the invaders pillaged Kutaisi, Artanuji, and the deserts of Klarjeti. Terrified, the Georgian people abandoned their homes, fleeing to the mountains and forests, leaving the land desolate and its holy churches desecrated.
Sin and lawlessness had overtaken the once God-loving nation. The chronicles lament, “People of all ages and ranks turned away from God, forsaking the righteous path and embracing all manner of iniquity.” Then, on Pascha, the Lord in His righteous wrath shook the earth to its foundations with a mighty earthquake, toppling buildings and striking terror into all hearts.
Yet, at this moment of despair, a new sun began to rise—a king chosen by God Himself. David, the anointed of the Lord, emerged as the hope and protector of Georgia. Wise, devout, and merciful, he lifted the fallen, defended the weak, upheld justice, and wielded his sword in righteous battle. He was the King of the Abkhazians, Kartvelians, Rans, Kakhetians, and Armenians—the sword of the Messiah, the holy King David the Builder.
At the age of sixteen, in the year 1089, his father Giorgi II abdicated the throne, placing upon David’s head the crown of kingship, saying, “I have found David, My servant, and with My holy oil have I anointed him.” The Lord clothed him in mercy and truth, exalting him above all the kings of the earth. Thus began a 36-year reign filled with war, labor, restoration, and spiritual renewal.
One of his first tasks was to restore the people of Georgia. After years of Turkish oppression, many had fled their homes, but King David gathered his noblemen and began calling back the scattered flock to reclaim their ancestral lands.
Four years later, Sultan Malik-Shah died, and the ambitious noble Liparit Bagvashi, once loyal to David, began plotting treachery. Though outwardly Christian, his heart harbored disloyalty and envy, turning him into an enemy of his own king. David first imprisoned him, later released him, and upon seeing his continued rebellion, banished him to Byzantium.
Recognizing that a strong nation must first be united, David subdued other rebellious lords, ensuring peace and stability.
The Restoration of the Church
David was not only a great warrior—he was a servant of God first and foremost. Understanding the importance of a strong Church, he convened a great ecclesiastical council near the cathedrals of Ruisi and Urbnisi, bringing together monks, ascetics, and bishops from across the land.
This council restored the authority of the Georgian Orthodox Church, purged corruption from the clergy, and reestablished the Church as the foundation of the nation’s spiritual and political strength. The king declared:
“Never shall we forsake you, O Holy Mother Church, nor shall we abandon you, O precious Orthodox faith!”
Under David’s guidance, the Church flourished as a beacon of righteousness, guiding the nation through perilous times.
The Great Wars of Liberation
The time had come to reclaim the lost lands and drive out the oppressors. First, David turned his gaze upon Kakheti-Hereti, and at the Battle of Ertsukhi, his forces crushed the Turkish armies, securing a glorious victory. Three horses were slain beneath him, yet the Lord preserved his life, and he fought with the strength of a lion, leading his troops to triumph.
Then came the greatest battle of all—the Battle of Didgori in 1121. The Sultan of Baghdad, Mahmud II, assembled a 600,000-strong army, including Arab warriors, Persian cavalry, and Turkish forces. Against this sea of enemies, David stood with only 40,000 men, yet his faith was unshakable.
Before the battle, the king addressed his troops:
“O warriors of Christ! If we fight with the courage of those who love the Lord, we shall not only defeat these countless hordes but even the devils themselves! Let us lift our hands to heaven and swear to God that we would rather die on this battlefield than retreat in shame!”
Then, in the hour of battle, a great miracle occurred. Saint George the Trophy-bearer appeared visibly before the army, guiding them to victory. The enemy forces fled in terror, their commanders slain, and their camp captured. This miraculous triumph ensured Georgia’s dominance in the region.
The Rebuilding of the Nation
With peace secured, David turned to building the spiritual and intellectual foundation of his kingdom. He established the Gelati Monastery in 1106, declaring it a center of learning and piety—a “Second Jerusalem”, where scholars and saints alike could study Holy Scripture and advance in wisdom.
He cared for the sick, the poor, and the outcast, establishing hospitals, schools, and charitable institutions. Always, he carried a purse of alms, giving generously to those in need, and if at the end of the day any money remained, he would lament, “Today, I have failed to give enough to Christ.”
Even in battle, David never ceased his devotion to study. Wherever he traveled, he brought with him a vast library, carried by camels, reading and meditating upon Holy Scripture. The Psalms and Apostolic letters were his daily companions, and he read the entire Gospel twenty-four times over the course of his life.
He was also a gifted hymnographer, composing the famous “Hymns of Repentance”, which still resonate in the hearts of the faithful today.
The Final Days of the Holy King
In 1125, knowing that his end was near, King David anointed his son Demetre I as his successor. He placed the royal crown upon his head, the sword upon his belt, and blessed him, praying for the prosperity of the kingdom.
Then, on his deathbed, he repented before God, crying out:
“When the day comes that all things perish, when crowns fade and thrones crumble, O Lord, remember me in Your mercy!”
At the age of 53, the greatest king of Georgia passed into eternal rest, leaving behind a united, powerful, and deeply faithful Christian nation.
He was buried at the entrance of Gelati Monastery, and on his tombstone was inscribed his final wish:
“Here shall be my resting place forever; here I shall dwell, for I have chosen it.”
O Holy and Righteous King David the Builder, pray to Christ our God for the salvation of our souls!
Translated by Father Thomas Bekurishvili