Our Venerable Father George the Scribe and His Brother Saba, of Khakhuli (XI)

The Venerable George the Scribe and his brother Saba were brothers of Jacob, the father of Saint George the Athonite (commemorated 27 June). Having taken up the labour of monasticism, they laboured in the monastery of Khakhuli.

The holy fathers were full of divine grace. “They dwelt at Khakhuli with both lives mingled together, for together with the riches of the godly way of life they had bodily riches too in abundance.” When the venerable fathers heard of the goodness and fear of God of the boy George, they advised Jacob to bring him to Khakhuli. And Jacob gladly brought his son to the God-clad brothers.

The Venerable George and Saba presented the boy George, to receive their blessing, to the holy fathers dwelling in the monastery, Macarius the Faster, Basil son of Bagrat, Hilarion of Tuali and Natoni the sacristan, and then left him there in the monastery and guided his upbringing and education. At that time the nobleman Peris Jojikisdze, who was married to a daughter of King Bagrat III, lived in the township of Tvartsatapi. They resolved to invite to their palace a wise monk, experienced in the spiritual life, as a teacher and as steward of the affairs of the spiritual life. Their choice fell on the Venerable George the Scribe, for “they could find none wiser”. With entreaties they persuaded the venerable father to leave the monastery.

George of Khakhuli took the boy George with him into the household of Peris Jojikisdze. A year later the Byzantine emperor Basil falsely accused Peris and had him beheaded. His wife with her household, among whom were George the Scribe and the boy George the Athonite, were taken to Constantinople, where they spent twelve years. Afterwards they came back again.

The brothers, having laboured for Christ, reposed in peace.