Saint Tbel Abuseridze (13th century)
Commemoration: August 30
(Aug 17 Julius Calendar)
Saint Tbel Abuseridze lived and worked in the 13th century. His father, Ivane, Eristavt-Eristavi of Upper Adjara, was killed in battle against the Turks. After being widowed, Saint Tbel’s mother took monastic vows under the name Ekaterine. Saint Tbel had two brothers, Abuseri and Vardan, who were also prominent figures of their time.
According to his noble lineage, Saint Tbel received an excellent education. As a hymnographer, prose writer, astronomer, scholar of church music, and a man distinguished by profound intellectual thought, he left an indelible mark on the history of Georgian culture.
From his writings it is evident that he built a church of Saint George in the village of Khikhani, in Upper Adjara. It is assumed that he served there as a clergyman and produced most of his works in that place. Saint Tbel had seven children, and as he himself wrote in his family chronicle, if he were to have more, their names also should be recorded in the chronicle.
Saint Tbel maintained active cultural ties with the Gelati Academy, and it is assumed that he received there the broad education that enabled him to express his wise and holy words in diverse genres.
His hymnographic collection, “Hymns of Saint John the Baptist, Saint John the Evangelist, and Saint John Chrysostom,” clearly reveals the figure of the author as a great theological writer and saint. The profound theological thoughts, metaphors, and symbolic and mystical interpretations of events — “knowledge of the visible” and “understanding of the invisible” — present Saint Tbel as a scientist and theologian of world stature.
Saint Tbel was also interested in the problems of chronology and composed a “Chronicon with full account and order”, in which, alongside his knowledge of astronomy and history, he gave a cosmic interpretation of the calendar and Christian eschatology.
He is also known for a hagiographic work, “The New Miracles of the Holy Great Martyr George,” which is important for its historical value as well, providing information about the activities of the Abuseridze family, one of the oldest and most distinguished noble houses of feudal Georgia, and about their cultural and constructive endeavors.
In addition to his literary and scientific work, which has been duly recognized by Georgian scholars, Saint Tbel is honored as a holy and God-bearing father. By canonizing him, the Apostolic Church of Georgia permanently confirmed his veneration as a holy father and gave due recognition to the labors by which he rightfully won the love of the Georgian people.
(Lives of the Georgian Saints, Tbilisi, 2004)
Translated by Father Thomas Bekurishvili