Venerable Euthymius, Abbot of the Monastery of the Forerunner (+1804)

Saint Euthymius was abbot of the monastery of Saint John the Baptist in the desert of Mravalmta at Gareji. The monastery’s charters mention him as “a labourer of many labours”.

According to Prince Ioane, Euthymius was “a man who was a philosopher and theologian, a wondrous preacher of the virtues. He laboured much for the monastery and rebuilt the village of Khashmi, which had been burnt because the eristavis of Ksani brought in the Leks; he laid out a fine vineyard and mills… He added much to the monastery, in goods as well as estates”. With his blessing a great deal of spiritual literature was translated in the house, and rare books were copied.

Prince Ioane tells us that Saint Euthymius taught “some disciples philosophy and theology”.

At the request of Sabbas of Ninotsminda Saint Euthymius wrote hymns to Saint Nino: “The blesser of the deserts of Atori, the most reverend Metropolitan Sabbas of Ninotsminda, commanded me, the unworthy Euthymius, archimandrite of the monastery of the Baptist, to write the verses ‘Rejoice’ to the enlightener of Georgia, the Equal-to-the-Apostles, Mother Nino.”

In 1797 an epidemic of plague broke out in Tbilisi. The inhabitants fled to the forests and gorges. The monks of the desert, coming out of the clefts of the rocks, appeared as guardian angels to the people exhausted by sickness and hunger: they helped them, served them and comforted them. Like many other good works, this too was led by Saint Euthymius.

Saint Euthymius reposed in peace in 1804.

The Apostolic Church of Georgia numbered among the saints the abbot Euthymius, a labourer for the Church and the nation, the hope and comfort of the needy, a philosopher and theologian “clothed with many labours”.