A NEW ACCOUNT ABOUT THE DELTAVI MONASTERY IN JERUSALEM ACCORDING TO THE MANUSCRIPT JER. GEO. 65
Abstract
The paper discusses the colophon of Georgian nun Douda kept in the 13th century Parakletikon - Georgian manuscript N 65 of the Library of Greek Orthodox Patriarchate in Jerusalem. The colophon provides us remarkable information about Deltavi monastery of Jerusalem whose location is not specified. There are also accounts about two Georgian feudal families of medieval times in the text, namely, about the family of Abazaisdze and the family of Jakeli. According to the colophon, the manuscript’s beneficiary Douda was the daughter of Abazaisdze Tbeli and the wife of Beshken Bibila Jakeli. She has three sons: Sula, Botso and Memna. Douda used to live in Memna's house (presumably after widowhood), but after Memna’s death she decided to go to Jerusalem and has chosen to live in the Jerusalem Deltavi Monastery of John the Baptist. Thus, based on this text we can undoubtedly conclude that the monastery was located in Jerusalem - Douda clearly states that he made the decision to settle in Jerusalem and selected monastery of Deltavi for this purpose. b) She also states that the Deltavi Monastery was built in the name of John the Baptist.
Key words: Holy Land, Georgia, monasticism, Deltavi monastery in Jerusalem, manuscript tradition
