Discover the life of Saint Arsenius the Great, Catholicos of Georgia, a distinguished hierarch, historian, hymnographer and builder of churches commemorated on September 25.

Saint Arsenius was the youngest son of an aristocrat named Mirian from Meskheti in southern Georgia. When the monks Theodore and Christopher stayed with his family while traveling toward Abkhazeti, Mirian and his wife, Kravaia, were so moved by their holiness that they entrusted their young son to the monks’ spiritual care.

Saint Gregory of Khandzta later brought Arsenius and the young Ephraim—the future wonderworker and Bishop of Atsquri—to Khandzta Monastery. Because the monastery’s rule prohibited young boys from living there, the monks initially objected. Saint Gregory assured them, however, that this exceptional circumstance reflected the will of God. Arsenius and Ephraim were then formed in the monastic life under the guidance of the hermits Theodore and Christopher.

When Arsenius reached the proper age, his father bypassed the Church Council and arranged for his son to be enthroned as Catholicos of Georgia. This interference in the affairs of the Church caused a serious controversy. A council assembled in Javakheti and prepared to ask Arsenius to resign.

The situation was especially painful because the council was led by Bishop Ephraim of Atsquri, Arsenius’s childhood companion. Saint Gregory of Khandzta arrived during the proceedings and assured the bishops that Arsenius’s enthronement was nevertheless the fulfillment of God’s will. Peace was restored, and the friendship between Arsenius and Ephraim was renewed.

Saint Arsenius enlightened the Georgian Church through his holy example, learning and pastoral love. He became known as an accomplished historian and philologist. He is credited with the important work On the Division of the Georgian and Armenian Churches, as well as numerous hymns and Lives of the Saints. His Life and Martyrdom of Abibos of Nekresi is particularly noteworthy.

Saint Arsenius was also an active builder of churches. He constructed the Cathedral of Tkobi-Erda in the Assa River Valley, in the region of present-day Ingushetia.

After shepherding the Georgian faithful for 27 years, Saint Arsenius peacefully departed to Christ in the year 887.

Please like, subscribe and share this video to help others discover the saints and spiritual heritage of the ancient Georgian Church.

Saint Arsenius the Great, pray for us!

00:00 Saint Arsenius the Great
00:18 His childhood in southern Georgia
00:26 Mirian’s family welcomes the monks
00:41 Arsenius is entrusted to their care
00:49 Saint Gregory of Khandzta
00:56 Arsenius and Ephraim enter monastic life
01:13 The monks object to the young students
01:22 Saint Gregory reveals God’s will
01:29 Formation under Theodore and Christopher
01:37 Arsenius becomes Catholicos of Georgia
01:45 His father’s unlawful interference
01:54 The Church Council at Javakheti
02:02 Bishop Ephraim faces a difficult judgment
02:09 The council asks Arsenius to resign
02:17 Saint Gregory intervenes
02:25 Peace and friendship are restored
02:32 Arsenius enlightens the Georgian Church
02:39 Historian, philologist and hymnographer
02:47 The Georgian and Armenian Churches
03:04 His Lives of the Saints
03:11 The life of Saint Abibos of Nekresi
03:19 Building Tkobi-Erda Cathedral
03:26 His 27 years as Catholicos
03:33 His repose in the year 887

https://www.oca.org/saints/lives

#SaintArenius #GeorgianOrthodox #LivesOfSaints #OrthodoxChristianity #Catholicos #OrthodoxFaith #OrthodoxChurchHistory #SaintsOfGeorgia #HolyFathers #ChristianSaints

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